Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is keen to return to Roma and could join "in the next few days", according to the Serie A club's head coach Paulo Fonseca.

Smalling impressed during his season on loan in the Italian capital last season, playing 37 times as Roma finished fifth in the league and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted last month the defender could still have a future at Old Trafford after reviving his career during that spell away on loan.

However, speaking ahead of Roma's first game of the 2020-21 campaign, Fonseca said he is hopeful an agreement can be reached to re-sign the 31-cap England international.

"I'm in contact to get Smalling. He wants to come back to Rome and we want him," Fonseca told reporters at a news conference previewing Saturday's clash with Hellas Verona.

"In the next few days I think he'll be here with us."

Fonseca also confirmed Edin Dzeko will be part of Roma's squad for their trip to Verona, despite speculation he is close to sealing a move to champions Juventus.

"Dzeko will be with us for the match tomorrow," Fonseca said. "It makes no sense to talk about this, for now he is with us."

Roma brought in young centre-back Marash Kumbulla on Thursday, but he will not slot straight into Roma's starting line-up against his former side this weekend.

"Kumbulla only trained yesterday and today, so he's not ready to start,” Fonseca said. "We have a different way of playing than he did at Verona.

"But he's a very smart guy and has understood what I have told him. We are working to buy young players but we can mix with the more experienced we have here."