Central defender Kostas Manolas is set to reject contract renewal offers from AS Roma according to his agent.
Kostas Manolas was heavily linked with a move to Premier league with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United interested in the defensive stalwart. The Greek defender’s current deal with Roma runs till 2019, and it was earlier reported that the Italian side were preparing a fresh contract for the centre-back, as per Corriere dello Sport. It was stated that the new deal would see his contract bein extended until 2020 with a significant pay rise.
There has been a fresh development as laroma24.it (h/t Football Italia) has reported that the player’s agent Iannis Evangelopoulos has rejected the notion that the 25-year-old has accepted a new contract from AS Roma.
“It’s true, I can confirm we have not agreed a contract renewal with Roma.”
Iannis was quick to also raise doubts over the possibility of a contract renewal in the near future.
“Could he reach it over the next few weeks? I doubt we will.”
The report by Football-Italia added that Roma are not looking to sell the player but have slapped a €30 million price tag on him as they feel they may be forced to give in to the player’s wishes. The report also stated about a clause in Manolas’ contract that will cause AS Roma to pay a certain fee to Olympiacos if a transfer was to take place before the 1st of September. This might prevent a summer transfer and a January move looks most likely for the 25-year-old.
Kostas Manolas has been a mainstay in Roma’s central defence ever since he joined from Olympiacos FC in 2014 for an estimated fee of €15 million. The 25-year-old has managed to make 67 Serie A appearances for the club in the span of 2 years. Manolas has also been a regular for the Greek national side with 23 appearances for the 2004 European Champions.
Manolas has been heavily sought after by Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Chelsea were strongly linked with the Roma defender as the Blues turned to Kostas to strengthen their defence. Arsenal were also reported to be scouting the Chelsea target as potential replacement for Per Mertesacker. Manchester United were also linked with a swoop for the center-half a few weeks ago.
Manchester United have, since, confirmed the signing of Villareal centre-back Eric Bailly leaving Arsenal and Chelsea to battle it out for the central defender. The player’s agent seems to have conveyed Manolas’ wishes and it seems a move from Italy to England is likely either in this window or in the month of January.
