---
title: "Chelsea to lodge last-minute bid for Kostas Manolas"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/06/25/chelsea-lodge-last-minute-bid-kostas-manolas/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2017-06-25T19:51:11Z"
modified: "2017-06-25T19:51:11Z"
---

# Chelsea to lodge last-minute bid for Kostas Manolas

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](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/821194/Chelsea-Kostas-Manolas-Roma-Transfer-News-Gossip), 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.