Three English Premier League clubs are reportedly set to begin a high-profile transfer battle for the services of Roma center back Kostas Manolas this summer, according to the footballer's agent Ioannis Evangelopoulos.
Evangelopoulos said that "the best clubs in Europe want him (Manolas)" and specifically mentioned cash-rich Premier League squads United, City, and Chelsea as the frontrunners, as per Caught Offside.
"There isn't just Manchester City, but also United and Chelsea," he said. "I haven't spoken with Roma for a while. Will he remain in the capital? No comment."
The 25-year-old Greece international joined the Italian capital city squad in the summer of 2014 from Superleague Greece club Olympiacos FC for an estimated fee of €15 million. Manolas revealed then that he was also given a huge offer by Serie A champions Juventus, but he chose to come to Rome because "people told me good things" about the club.
It is not a secret that the Citizens and the Blues, with their new head coaches Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte, are still painstakingly looking for their ideal center backs this offseason with still more than a month to go before the summer transfer window closes.
Guardiola and Conte have specific qualities that they want from their defenders and their search have so far not ended.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is not that keen on adding another defender, but is rumored to be ready to snag Manolas if he is indeed available this summer.
SkySports indicated that aside from Manolas, Guardiola is also keen on getting Everton's John Stones, which was also Chelsea's long-time target ever since Mourinho was still the boss at the Stamford Bridge last season.
Guardiola has also recently failed to acquire Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus after the team's £38 million offer was rejected earlier this month, with the Red Devils now rumored to be interested in the Juve standout.
Conte was also speculated to be interested in his former Italy national team defender, but their £32 million bid for Bonucci was also unfruitful.
Manolas had impressed in his two seasons with Roma so far, appearing in a total of 86 games in all competitions and scoring twice during the said time span.
