Manchester United's signing of AS Roma center back Kostas Manolas could be delayed up until the January transfer window as complications in his current contract with the Serie A giants are hindering a summer move.

The 24-year-old Greek defender is said to have a clause in his current deal with I Giallorossi that requires his buyer to pay 50 percent of his transfer fee to former club Olympiakos if he is moved before September 1 of this year, as per the Daily Express.

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In that case, Roma is set to demand more than Manolas' £30 million buyout fee from Man United as the Wolves are definitely looking "as good a deal for themselves," but the Red Devils are said to be unwilling to spend that much cash on him.

Since England's summer transfer window falls from July 1 to Sep. 1, the deal could not be made in the said period without paying extra for Olympiakos and so it may be postponed to the midseason winter transfer window that starts on Jan. 1 and ends Feb. 1.

The report noted that another option "would be a temporary loan deal with a view to making Manolas' move to Old Trafford permanent at a later stage".

Incoming United manager Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on snagging Manolas soonest as he aims to improve the team's back four before the new season starts in August.

Caught Offside reported that if a Manolas transfer is indeed not possible to happen this summer, then Mourinho could look elsewhere for a potential alternative to the 6-foot-2 Naxos, Greece native.

It was suggested, though, that the wiser move would be to "wait and attempt to reach an agreement at some stage" in the future, particularly in January.

After Louis van Gaal was sacked on Monday, United's backfield mainstays Daley Blind and Chris Smalling are allegedly "anxious" to find out whether they are part of Mourinho's plans or not moving forward.

The Special One is also targeting Everton defender John Stones this summer as part of his rumored defensive rebuild at the Old Trafford.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2016, Manchester United, AS Roma, Kostas Manolas