Roma have told Chelsea target Kostas Manolas to either join Zenit St. Petersburg or be prepared to stay where he is.
The defender is in talks with Zenit over a move to Russia after they had a £26million offer accepted.
The Greece international was due to rubber-stamp the deal on Wednesday, but a dispute over his wages has caused negotiations to stall.
Chelsea, who are long-term admirers of Manolas, have been alerted to the situation and it was reported they could make an 11th-hour bid.
But, according to Italian broadcaster Sportmediaset, the centre-back has been told by Roma that either he accepts Zenit's offer or he stays put.