AS Roma looking to eliminate €36m release clause in Manchester United and Chelsea target Kostas Manolas’ contract

Manchester United could reportedly receive a blow in their hopes of signing Greece international defender Kostas Manolas, according to Calciomercato.

The Premier League side, who visit in-form Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening, have been linked with luring the AS Roma centre-back to Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old, who has 36 international caps for his country, has scored one goal in his side’s opening three Serie A fixtures so far this season.

Manolas, who joined Roma from Olympiacos back in August 2014, has netted seven goals in 174 games overall for the Italian outfit.

AC Milan’s Gonzalo Higuain in action with AS Roma’s Kostas Manolas (left).

With the defender said to be attracting interest from the likes of United and Chelsea, the report claims Roma are aiming to erase the release clause in Manolas’ current contract in a bid to keep the Greek star at the Stadio Olimpico.

He is under contract until June 2022, with the deal including a €36m release clause (approximately £32m).

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94