AS Roma insist that their centre-back, Kostas Manolas, is not for sale, according to the London Evening Standard.
The Greece international is a target of Premier League duo Arsenal and Chelsea.
This hands-off warning from the Italian comes despite the player’s agent, Iannis Evangelopoulos, warning last week that Manolas has no intention to renew his contract in the Italian capital.
Kostas Manolas is reportedly valued at £38 million – a sum that one would think the Serie A side would accept if matched, should he really not wish to sign a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma have already signed centre-back Juan Jesus from Internazionale this summer and Real Madrid’s Nacho is set to arrive on loan, suggesting that they may be preparing for the departure of one of their defenders.
Arsenal are looking to find a solid partner for Laurent Koscielny as Per Mertesacker has proven to be a liability over the years and Gabriel Paulista’s disciplinary issues and defending have not helped him settle into England over the past 18 months. Arsène Wenger has no other out-and-out centre-backs, which took its toll on the team last season.
New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been linked with a number of centre-backs this summer as he is expected to change the formation to a 3-5-2. The Italian tactician currently has John Terry, Gary Cahill, Kurt Zouma, Matt Miazga and Branislav Ivanović available to him.
However, the London pairs bid to sign Kosta Manolas has been buffed by Roma president James Palotta, who is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying:
“Why on earth should Manolas leave? Juan Jesus and Nacho are two experienced defenders who are going to help us. The team is working very hard for the Champions League play off stage.”
Chelsea are also linked with a move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi.
Arsène Wenger’s top priority at Arsenal appears to be buying a striker but the French manager is certainly expected to land at least one new centre-back before the start of the 2016-17 Premier League season.
美国佬出来辟谣,说不卖 |