Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Kostas Manolas and John Obi Mikel

The agent of AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas has suggested his client is close to rejecting Chelsea’s interest in favour of signing a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico. Meanwhile, midfielder John Obi Mikel has said he’s ready to “talk to other clubs.”

Speaking to ESPN FC’s Peter O’Rourke, Manolas’ agent, Ioannis Evangelopoulos, confirmed Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City were interested in the centre-back during the summer months. However, a new deal is understood to be on the table in Rome.

He said: “It is possible that Kostas will sign a new deal at Roma, and we will see what they have got to say. There was strong interest in Kostas from top clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer, and I am sure those clubs are still watching him.”

Manolas has enjoyed his development since moving to Serie A from Olympiakos as a replacement for Medhi Benatia in 2014, arguably going on to become an even more pivotal player than the man he succeeded.

Chelsea were linked with a string of defenders from the Italian top flight after former Juventus manager Antonio Conte arrived at their helm, ultimately re-signing David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

With club stalwart John Terry most likely set to exit Stamford Bridge at the end of this season, Manolas may have remained on Chelsea’s wanted list, however. Roma writer Wayne Girard recently praised Manolas as one of the best players in a meeting against Fiorentina:

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