Arsenal
Wenger Wants To Wrap Up Signing Quickly After Opening Formal Talks Over €10m Deal
Arsenal have opened formal talks with Olympiakos over a potential €10m (£8m) deal for Greek international centre-back Kostas Manolas, according to reports.
The summer transfer window is now well under way and managers are working hard to strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac brings us the latest on Arsenal’s move for Kostas Manolas.
Image: Express
Arsenal have opened talks with Olympiakos over a potential deal for Greek international centre-back Kostas Manolas, according to reports.
Boss Arsene Wenger is on the look out for a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen after the Belgian’s move to Barcelona last weekend, and speculation on Tuesday claimed the Frenchman had short-listed Manolas as a potential target.
It seems Wenger has now decided to step up his interest in the 23-year-old as Goal are reporting that Arsenal have opened formal talks with Olympiakos over the defender’s signature as fears grow over the fitness of Laurent Koscielny.
The France international has a long-standing Achilles problem and he’s now emerged as a doubt for the opening few games of the new season after being taken off at half-time during Sunday’s Community Shield win over Man City.
Goal suggest that with Wenger concerned over Koscielny’s fitness, he’s now looking to wrap up a deal for another centre-back quickly and has been told by Olympiakos that it will take €10m (£8m) to land Manolas after opening preliminary talks with the Greek outfit.
Manolas enjoyed an excellent debut season following his free transfer move from AEK Athens last summer as he played a key role in helping Olympiakos cruise to the Greek Super League title.
He also played in the Champions League and was superb for Greece at the World Cup this summer, so I’m sure this top level experience has played an important role in Wenger’s decision to try and lure him to the Emirates.
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The news on Koscielny is certainly worrying as if he’s ruled out for any length of time, we’ll head into the new Premier League season, not to mention playing two vital Champions League play-of games against Besiktas, with just Calum Chambers and a half-fit Per Mertesacker to choose from in the middle of defence, so it’s crucial we bring in another option as soon as possible and Manolas would be an excellent addition to the squad.
