Manchester United is reportedly preparing a $58 million bid for AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas, according to latest rumors.

United manager Jose Mourinho is said to be "determined to strengthen his defense" by snagging the 25-year-old Greek center back from the Serie A squad, The Sun reported.

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The report also noted that Mourinho is publicly stating United "does not intend to buy another defender" this winter window, but that the English Premier League club has been doing the negotiations from "behind the scenes".

The Manchester outfit reportedly approached Roma after the talks for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof did not push through despite the Portuguese side and United already agreeing on a sell-on fee.

Mourinho's debut season at the Old Trafford is marked by disappointments as the team has not met preseason expectations. However, the Red Devils are currently on a roll, winning six straight games, but it is still not enough for them to be considered as domestic title contenders as they are now settled in the sixth spot of the English top flight table after 20 rounds of competitions.

One of the team's weaknesses is said to be its defense and the Portuguese coach is reportedly "desperate to strengthen his defensive options this month", according to Caught Offside.

There are speculations that the recent return to form by mainstays Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo may have changed Mourinho's mind with regards to acquiring defenders this winter. It was said that the team will "make do until the end of the season" before any signings will be made.

However, the rumors still have not stopped with the latest one mentioning Roma's Greek international.

Manolas has been with I Giallorossi since the summer of 2014 after he was bought from Superleague Greece side Olympiacos FC for $15.8 million. The 6-foot-2 Naxos, Greece native had appeared in a total of 107 games for Roma, scoring twice, playing mainly as a central defender in two-and-a-half seasons so far.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2017, Kostas Manolas, AS Roma, Manchester United