According to reports from Spain via The Metro, Arsenal are considering signing Serie A giant defender Kostas Manolas as a replacement for injured Per Mertesacker, whose contract is coming to an end.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has long been lined with the defender but now, if the reports are the be believed a deal could happen soon for the 25 year old.
He has featured in 97 appearances for Roma since he joined in 2014 and the Greek international has also been linked with many other Premier League clubs.
Manolas is currently trying to get a new deal with the Serie A outfit and Arsenal are said to be keen to test Roma with an offer to see if they’d be willing to part with the defender.
It looks increasingly likely that Mertesacker will be leaving The Emirates at the end of this season and Hannover and Werder Bremen are both keen to sign the BFG.
Manolas will no doubt find himself on the bench if he joins Arsenal with Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny’s (together they are Kostafi!) recent impressive performances so Manolas may have to wait his turn to break up such a formidable partnership. Arsene Wenger also has Gabriel and Rob Holding as Centre Back backup, so chances there are limited.
Close to the end of last month, the Greek international agent Ioannis Evangelopoulos said as quoted by Metro, and in no way is trying to get his client a pay rise:
“There was strong interest in Kostas from top clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer. I am sure those clubs are still watching him…”
