Kostas Manolas is the latest name to be linked with Chelsea and he could be on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer. However, negotiations with Roma are going to be very difficult.
Ever since speculations of Antonio Conte’s impending appointment as Chelsea coach, both the Italian and English media have linked Chelsea with several Juventus and AS Roma players with the Greek defender being the latest name rumoured to be a high priority potential signing of Conte’s wishlist.
Sky Italia understands that negotiations with AS Roma over the 24 year old defender have already begun. The former Olympiakos and AEK Athens centre back was brought in by Walter Sabatini (Roma’s sporting director) in the summer of 2014 following the departure of Mehdi Benatia to Bayern Munich.
Manolas is currently one of the most sought after defenders in Serie A along with the likes of Napoli’s Koulibaly, Juve’s Bonucci and Torino’s Maximovic. He has formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Roma defense along with Rudiger who was purchased last season from Germany.
However, the deal is very complicated as today Gazettaworld reported that a clause in Manolas’ contract indicates that Roma will come to owe 50% of his future transfer fee to Olympiakos.
According to Football Leaks, the contract makes it very clear that Roma will owe a minimum of €6.5m, but will have to pay half of any transfer fee above that – “if the transfer fee is €10m, Olympiakos will still be eligible to receive €6.5m. If the transfer fee received by Roma is €20m, in this case Olympiakos should be receiving €10m”. (via Football Italia)
Things however would become very easy for Chelsea if Roma’s Walter Sabatini, who is expected to leave at the end of the season, should choose to join Chelsea replacing the outgoing Michael Emenalo. According to reports from Express, Conte wishes to bring Sabatini to Stamford Bridge.
At the moment however, it is all speculation with all eyes towards the reopening of the transfer window in July.
