Chelsea Transfer News: Kostas Manolas Talks Reportedly Held Amid Arsenal Rumours"

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks to sign AS Roma centre-back Kostas Manolas, but the Blues face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal. Both clubs will be wary of a complex contract clause that entitles a portion of any transfer fee Roma would earn be paid to Manolas' old club Olympiakos.

That clause has apparently not deterred Chelsea taking the first steps to acquire the Greek international next season, according to Sky in Italy (h/t Sky Sports' Matthew Treadwell). The report indicates Manolas is viewed as an ideal replacement at the back for outgoing club captain John Terry.

Incoming new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte should make retooling a decaying defence a priority this summer. Terry won't get a new contract, while 30-year-old Gary Cahill and 32-year-old Branislav Ivanovic have both shown signs of age this season.

Chelsea's defensive woes haven't been eased by the injury problems experienced by promising young Frenchman Kurt Zouma. But pairing the combative 21-year-old with a savvy and aggressive defender like Manolos next season would give the Blues the type of miserly back line that helped guide them to a league title during the 2014/15 campaign.

Creating that partnership will demand beating Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to the punch. The north Londoners are reportedly keen enough on Manolas to revisit a deal they tried to pull off two years ago, per Football Insider's Wayne Veysey (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express).

Just like Chelsea, Wenger's squad needs an infusion of fresh talent at the heart of defence. Per Mertesacker is far from the most dynamic athletically, while Brazilian Gabriel has taken his time adapting to England's top flight. A lack of quality cover is also an issue, with Calum Chambers currently learning his trade at multiple positions.

But both Chelsea and Arsenal can expect to have to make hefty offers for a central defender rated at £30 million. A clause in his current contract will demand Roma do all they can to get top price for Manolas.

According to Football Leaks (h/t David Amoyal of Gianluca Di Marzio's website), Roma may even be reluctant to sell this summer due to the clauses in Manolas' deal:

    At the moment Roma just owns half of the player's rights, they will have to pay an additional €6.5 million (on top of the €6.5 million they already paid) to fully own him.

    According to this clause should Roma sell Manolas by September 1st of this year, Olympiakos would be entitled to half of the transfer fee rather than just €6.5 million.

Amoyal has correctly identified this clause as a "financial incentive" for Roma to keep one of their key defenders in the fold a little longer.

Despite both having an obvious need for better options at the back, Chelsea and Arsenal should expand their respective searches beyond Manolas. His contract situation is likely to turn any pursuit and deal into one of the most protracted of this summer's window.

A lengthy process would not be welcome for two teams who also have other pressing needs to address before next season.