ARSENAL and Chelsea have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Roma defender Kostas Manolas.
Both London clubs had been keeping tabs on the highly-rated Greek defender who has impressed in three years in Serie A.
But now it appears the 26-year-old is on the verge of completing a £26million move to Zenit St Petersburg.
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Manolas had developed a reputation for being one of the toughest defenders in Europe with his no-nonsense style of play.
The former Olympiacos centre-back enjoyed a successful time in Italy and had caught the eye of Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League and Inter Milan in Serie A.
But it is Russian club Zenit who have been quickest off the mark and Manolas has agreed a four-year deal to make the move east.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been in the market for a new centre-back ever since he arrived at Stamford Bridge last year.
The departure of John Terry at the end of last season only served to increase his desire to bring in some more strength at the back.
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While Manolas was not top of his wanted list he was a player who had been rated highly, so the pressure is now on Chelsea to deliver a new top class signing.
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is the main target but the Blues face a battle to convince the Italian club to part with one of their key players.
Arsenal also know they need to strengthen an area that proved problematic last season, especially with Shkodran Mustafi struggling at times in his first season in England.
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