According to italian media ilromanista, Newcastle wanted to sign Smalling, but their offer was rejected by Roma, who saw him as Roma's defensive leader.
Newcastle is looking to complete the relegation task by bringing in reinforcements in the winter window, and they are willing to offer players a higher annual salary to attract players to join.
Recently, Newcastle has offered Smalling for £10 million to Rome and has prepared a contract for Smalling that expires in June 2024, offering an annual salary much higher than the current Smalling annual salary in Rome. If Roma accept the offer, they could recover most of the transfer fees they paid when he signed him from Manchester United from Smalling, and If Smalling has been injured for two years, Roma will also consider whether to sell Smalling.
Mourinho, however, did not want to lose Smalling, who saw smallin as the team's defensive leader. Therefore, after consideration, Rome rejected Newcastle's offer.
(Iron Fist)
![Really fight! Mkhitaryan and Smalling did their best for Mourin, who asked Zaniolo to ask for it[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)