Juventus 'closing in on Kostas Manolas deal'

Juventus are reportedly interested in completing a deal to sign Kostas Manolas from Serie A rivals Roma.

The Italian champions are in the market for a new defender having allowed Leonardo Bonucci to join AC Milan, and manager Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly earmarked Manolas as his primary target.

Roma, who finished as runners-up to Juve in the league last season, remain unwilling to sell to their rivals, but Repubblica claims that the Bianconeri could try to tempt them with a €30m (£26.8m) offer.

Manolas had previously been linked with Chelsea, but the Premier League champions instead went for his former Roma defensive partner Antonio Rudiger, while Zenit St Petersburg have also been unsuccessful with an approach.

Juventus have already signed Douglas Costa, Mattia De Sciglio, Federico Bernardeschi and Wojciech Szczesny this summer, while Emre Can and Nemanja Matic have been linked with moves to Turin.

Allegri's side won a sixth consecutive Serie A title, a third consecutive league and cup double and reached the Champions League final last season.