Chelsea rival Zenit St Petersburg for Roma defender Kostas Manolas?

Chelsea have reportedly made an offer of £35m to try to sign defender Kostas Manolas from Roma.

The Blues are known to be in the transfer market for a defender, with reports suggesting that they are willing to pay in the region of £60m to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

However, according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, Chelsea have joined the race to sign Manolas, who was allegedly on the brink of completing a move to Zenit St Petersburg.

He is quoted by Tribal Football as saying: "Manolas and Zenit are negotiating over the final details, but Chelsea are ready to make a last minute bid in order to overtake the Russians.

"Today, Chelsea are expected to submit to Roma a last call, a last bid of €40m (£35m). While Zenit's offer is about €30m [£26m] - in order to take the player."

The Greece international has made 128 appearances for Roma in all competitions since joining the club in 2014.