Kostas Manolas has admitted that the prospect of signing for La Liga giants Barcelona or Real Madrid could be too hard to turn down.
Manolas signed a new five-year contract at Roma last season – a deal that will see him stay with the Roman giants till at least June 2022.
The defender has been at the club for around four years now, having signed from Olympiacos back in 2014. Sill only 26, he is widely recognized as one of the world’s best defenders at the moment. A number of top Premier League clubs were interested in the possibility of adding him to their ranks, including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United but he turned them all down in favor of staying with the Giallorossi.
However, while he did turn his back on a move to England, Manolas has admitted that a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid or Barcelona would be too difficult to turn away without giving it proper thought.
Roma legend Francesco Totti, who was fundamental in convincing the Greece international to stay, also faced interest from the Spanish giants during the peak years of his career. However, the one-club man could never turn his back on his beloved club – his loyalty being a trait that set him apart from a majority of the players in the modern era.
Manolas admits that while it might be hard to say goodbye to Roma, it definitely wouldn’t be impossible should Real or Barca come calling. Speaking to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the defender said:
"“If a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona were to come along, apart from Francesco Totti who turned them down, I think everyone would think about it.“We’d then have to evaluate the conditions, because I can assure you that it’s not easy for anyone to leave Roma.“Totti was fundamental in convincing me to stay. I spoke to him more than I did [director of sport] Monchi.“I don’t feel like a leader and I am not the captain. It doesn’t matter that I’ve been here for many years. We are all the same in the locker room. Now talented young players have arrived and they need our help. All I can pledge is that I’ll give my all.”"
Manolas does have a bit of history with Barcelona – something the Liga Santander club’s fans will not remember with any fondness whatsoever. The center-back’s 82nd minute goal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season knocked the Catalan giants out of the competition, and completed a remarkable turnaround having lost the first leg 4-1.
It was the day Manolas was dubbed ‘the Greek God in Rome’ by that infamous piece of commentary from Peter Drury. Should he end up moving to Real Madrid, it would be fair to say that he would already be a fan favourite before even kicking a ball for the club.