According to reports in Italy, Kostas Manolas is ‘unhappy’ and wants to leave Roma which is unfortunate for him because the Italians do not want to sell.

So says the latest installation of this less-than-riveting transfer saga.

Manolas has been linked with Arsenal since last summer but over recent weeks their name has fallen away, allowing Chelsea’s to take prominence.

His reported unhappiness comes as a surprise to us here as in April he was quoted as saying “At Roma I feel good.

“I still have three years left on my contract.”

Of course, things can change quickly in football, but I’m struggling to accept this current version of events.

Last summer Arsenal were quoted a price of €40m for the defender and that price has increased over the course of the year to £38m. In addition to letting a good player go, part of Roma’s reluctance to sell will no doubt come from the clause in his contract that would see a hefty chunk of change have to go to his previous club, Olympiacos.

Regardless, Roma are in no mood to sell despite bringing in Nacho from Real Madrid and Juan Jesus, both on loan. “Why on earth should Manolas leave?” James Pallotta, Roma president, was quoted as saying in the Evening Standard. “Juan Jesus and Nacho are two experienced defenders who are going to help us. The team is working very hard for the Champions League play-off stage.”