According to reports, Roma have rejected a bid from Chelsea for defender Kostas Manolas.
The Sun report that the Blues have made a £26 million bid for the centre-back, but that the Italian heavyweights have rejected their approach.
However, the potential move is not dead in the water, with the tabloid stating that Roma would accept an offer for the 24-year-old if Pensioners increase their bid by £9 million to £35 million.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea and Roma can ultimately draw closer on a valuation for the player but it may well be that the Blues’ need to replace John Terry, whose current contract comes to an end this summer, presses them into agreeing Roma’s asking price.
Considering the relative dearth of top-level centre-backs, it’s hard to exactly put a true value on the established defender, who could be a big hit if he adapts to life in England.
The Greek international still has his best years ahead of him.
The Naxos-born defender moved from AEK Athens to Olympiakos in 2012, before joining Roma two years later. He represented Greece at the 2014 World Cup, and is featured 28 times for Roma in the Italian top-flight this season scoring once and contributing one assist.
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