Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United told by Roma to pay a whopping £37.5million to sign star defender Kostas Manolas
Greek centre-back in high demand after terrific season but Prem suitors will be forced to pay big for his signature
ROMA have reportedly told Premier League teams to cough up £37.5million if they want to sign Kostas Manolas.
The centre-back is high on the wish-list of several big clubs this summer, namely Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Everton have also been linked as new boss Ronald Koeman counts the money, and Roma have already lined up a potential replacement in Real Madrid ace Nacho.
But the Serie A giants are trying to do everything in their power to keep Manolas in the Italian capital after signing him in 2014 from Olympiakos.
The 25-year-old has already made 86 appearances across two seasons and is highly regarded as one of the finest defenders in the league.
Partner Antonio Rudiger looks set to miss a chunk of the upcoming campaign after tearing cruciate knee ligaments in Germany’s pre-Euro 2016 build-up, leaving Roma short at the back.
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The Italians have also parted ways with experienced midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who has joined Juventus, and don’t want to lose another star man if possible.
Arsenal, Chelsea and United are poised to make bids, but reports that Roma are holding out for a significant fee in order to part ways with Manolas.
It’s claimed Luciano Spalletti’s side are demanding £37.5m, which could put the Premier League trio off.
The report adds that Roma owe 50 per cent of Manolas’ next transfer fee to former club Olympiakos, which could be why they’re demanding so much.
It’s alleged that Chelsea will instead pursue a deal for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, leaving just Arsenal and United in the race.
The Red Devils have already splashed £30m on Villarreal’s Eric Bailly, making Arsenal the front-runners for Manolas’ signature.