Chelsea, Manchester United interested in Gianluca Mancini
According to the Express, Chelsea are set to battle it out with Manchester United for the signing of AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini in the summer.
The 24-year-old Mancini joined Roma in 2019 from Atalanta, initially on loan, before making his transfer permanent last summer. He has been a mainstay at the back for the Giallorossi already racking up 68 appearances in two years.
Mancini has missed just three Serie A games this term, helping Roma to seven clean sheets in his 23 league appearances while also scoring four goals. His contrbutions at both ends of the pitch have now piqued the interest of Chelsea.
Chelsea have stacked a defensive unit at the moment. However, Thiago Silva is in the twilight of his career while Cesar Azpilicueta is also in his thirties. With Fikayo Tomori’s future also uncertain, it becomes imperative that the club bring in a new defender in the summer.
And, Mancini could be an ideal target given how impressive he has been for Roma. What makes him even more of an appealing target is that the four-time capped Italy international could be available for just £27m in the summer.
AS Roma view him as a crucial player in the present and for the future. But given the effects of the pandemic on their finances, the Italian outfit could be forced into parting ways with Mancini for the aforementioned sum.
However, interest from our rivals Manchester United might complicate matters for the Blues to land the 24-year-old towering centre-back.
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A new defender would be a welcome addition at the Bridge despite the solid performances under Thomas Tuchel. It, however, remains to be seen if Chelsea go after Mancini or pursue alternative targets in the summer.