Manchester United are reportedly set to launch a bid in the region of £50 million for AS Roma centre-back Kostas Manolas, who is also a priority target for Chelsea
The Sun have claimed that Manchester United are set to break the bank in their pursuit of AS Roma centre-back Kostas Manolas. The Greek defender has been linked with a move to Chelsea of late. But it seems Mourinho is keen to beat his former employers to the central defender.
Konstantinos Manolas or simply Kostas Manolas, arrived at AS Roma from Olympiacos in a €13 million deal in July 2014 and has since cemented himself as one of the best defenders in not only Roma but also the Serie A.
Manolas has been a regular face in the starting eleven in Rome and has played 16 of the 19 Serie A games for the club, with 1 assist to his name. The 25-year-old is considered to be a commanding presence at the back with a lethal long-range shot in his repertoire.
Manolas has been linked with a move to Chelsea for quite some time. Conte is looking to add technically adept central defenders for his 3-man defensive system at Stamford Bridge. The likes of Cahill, Ivanovic and Terry are all entering or have already entered the twilight years of his footballing career.
But Manchester United, who are looking for defensive reinforcements of their own, were reported to have joined the race to sign the Greek centre-back. The Red Devils were recently linked with a £32.5 million bid for Manolas, and it looks like they are ready to stump up way more than that.
As per Sun’s report, Jose Mourinho is willing and ready to launch a £47.5 million bid to land Kostas Manolas over Chelsea. But the report also iterates that AS Roma are likely to hold on to their valuation of £52 million of the 25-year-old.
Alternatively, AS Roma are very much in the Serie A battle, 4 points adrift of league leaders Juventus and may decide against negotiating a January sale of their defensive general, and one of the absolutely integral men in their title challenge.
However, the Serie A outfit might be compelled to part with Manolas, in case either of the two suitors decide to stump up the £52 million asking price. Manolas surely looks to be on his way towards the Premier League, be it in January or the near future.
