Roma to set deadline for Chelsea target

The Blues are keen to bolster their side this summer

Chelsea are expected to overhaul their side this summer after an underwhelming Premier League and Champions League campaigns last season. They finished 5th in the league and will miss the Champions League in the upcoming season.

Though Blues ended the campaign on a bright note after defeating Manchester United in the FA Cup final but they are keen to add reinforcements in key areas in order to strengthen the squad for next season.

Maurizio Sarri is expected to replace Antonio Conte ahead of the next season but the club are looking to move ahead in securing new signings as soon as possible.

One of their top priorities is to bolster their defense in the transfer window as their backline struggled the most last term and have been linked to host of defenders.

Chelsea are interested in signing Roma defender Kostas Manolas with Sarri particularly keen on him. They have seemingly identified him as the man they want to be the cornerstone of their new-look back-line.

The 26 year old joined the Italian side from Olympiacos for an estimated fee of €15 million in 2014. Since then he has amassed over 100 appearances for the Giallorossi, proving himself to be an integral part of their defensive unit.

The Greece International was very impressive last season and helped his team to reach the Semi-finals of the Champions League, his header against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter final helped his team to progress to the next round.

His displays has attracted interest from many top European clubs and the Serie A club may release the defender to meet the Financial Fair Play demands. He is one of their most valuable assets, and allowing him to leave could mean they hold on to the likes of Alisson.

Premier League giants have informed the Serie A giants that they are ready to trigger the €38 million release clause for the defender, which is exercisable until the first days of August. They are also willing to pay him around £4.4 million a year to tempt him into putting pen to paper.

According to Calciomercato, however, Rome could establish a sort of deadline with the Greek defender. He will not be able to leave the Capital club after such deadline to allow the club more time to find a substitute.

Read Also: Chelsea Players ratings from first round of World Cup 2018

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