Kostas Manolas Not Leaving Roma in the Summer

Roma’s sporting director Monchi says that there is no possibility of the club deciding to part company with defender Kostas Manolas in the last few days of the transfer window.

The defender has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Arsenal throughout this summer. Both clubs are in need of a centre back. Back in the summer, it looked like the Greek international would be a certainty to leave the club after Roma accepted a £ 30 million offer from Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg. However, the move did not materialise due to various reasons and the Greek international has ended up staying at the Stadio Olimpico.

It has opened the possibility of the 26-year-old making the switch to Chelsea or Arsenal in the last few days of the window. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has held a long-standing interest in the player.

However, it remains to be seen if the deal will progress, especially considering that Chelsea have already signed Antonio Rudiger from Roma in the summer transfer window for around £32 million.Monchi has confirmed that the club are indeed are trying to add to the existing squad rather than sell the players for a profit. Roma came second in the table last season and the club have been left disappointed with the inability to win the league title once again.

“Manolas for sale? No, we are working to sign players, not sell them. I spend all day with the players and can see they have faith in the coach and the system they are adopting,” said Roma’s sporting director. Manolas has been a key player for the Greek national team.

Three consecutive draws in the World Cup qualifiers have led to Greece remaining in the second place after six matches. Bosnia have been able to narrow the deficit down to just one point.