Chelse and Antonio Conte are desperate to land a big-name centre-back or two this summer to bolster their squad and fresh reports claim they’re making a late move for Roma star Kostas Manolas.
The Greek defender had been tipped to complete a move to Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg in the coming days but the Blues have entered the race with an eleventh-hour bid.
According to journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, as quoted by the Express, Chelsea have put forward a late £35m bid for Manolas – an offer that exceeds that which was made by Zenit:
Manolas and Zenit are negotiating over the final details, but Chelsea are ready to make a last minute bid in order to overtake the Russians.
Today, Chelsea are expected to submit to Roma a last call, a last bid of €40million [£35m], while Zenit’s offer is about €30m [£26m] – in order to take the player.
That being said, Chelsea could still lose out in their efforts to sign the 26-year-old centre-back as Zenit are offering better personal terms to the player, Giulianelli notes:
The problem is that Zenit are offering a better contract to the player.
Under contract until 2019, Manolas is regarded as one of the top defenders playing in Italy today and it would be a real coup for Chelsea to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci and Southampton standout Virgil van Dijk remain top targets for the Blues this summer also.
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