Chelsea suffers major transfer setback but £32.5million move could still appeal

Roma star Kostas Manolas has sealed himself as a crucial part of the Giallorossi starting line-up, and Premier League Champions Chelsea are prepared to be left frustrated in their pursuit.

As reported by The Daily Mail, Chelsea had been linked with a transfer for the £30million-rated Greek since the summer, with Italian tactician Antonio Conte wanting to strengthen his defense line.

The Italian ultimately brought in his AS Roma teammate, German Antonio Rudiger, to his team at the Bridge, but rumour continued of a move for Manolas.

The 26-year-old defender moved to Rome back in 2014 from Olympiacos, and has since made 143 appearances for the Italian side while sealing himself as one of the best centre-halves in the Italian Serie A.

In turn, it’s not strange that Antonio Conte wanted the defender at Stamford Bridge, but according to Calciomercato, Kostas Manolas is all prepared to sign a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2021, and one that will earn him €3million-yearly plus bonuses.

Given the Blues have let in only 11 goals in 14 English Premier League matches so far this term, a defensive reinforcement shouldn’t be much of a priority.

Brazilian David Luiz has found first team actions hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, and turns 31 a year from now, while England defender Gary Cahill will clock 32 later in the month. Kostas Manolas could be seen as a long-term replacement.