Chelsea miss out as Manolas closes in on Zenit move
Chelsea have missed out on the chance to sign AS Roma’s Kostas Manolas, who is closing in on a move to Zenit Saint Petersburg, Sky Italia reports.
The Greek defender had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge with Antonio Conte reportedly keen to bring in the Roma man this summer.
Reports had suggested that Chelsea merely needed to bid anything over €30 million for the player to secure a deal, but Zenit have stolen the march on the Premier League champions.
The Russian side, who have recently hired former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini are set to complete a double deal, signing both Manolas and his team-mate Leonardo Paredes for a combined fee believed to be somewhere in the region €65 and €75 million.
The defender has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Russian side and could complete his move to Zenit as early as next week.
Chelsea continue to be linked with defenders and it now appears they have turned their attention back to Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, as well as an ambitious move for Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci.