One name that had been doing the rounds on the Arsenal transfer rumours lately was Roma’s central defender Kastos Manolas.
Despite signing Rob Holding from Bolton last week Arsenal are supposedly still in the market for a centre back given the uncertainty of Mertesacker’s fitness, Gabriel’s adaptation to England and Chambers’ potential loan away. The name that has featured on numerous occasions is Manolas, who despite previously being a talented young star when Arsenal were last linked with him, he has now become an experienced centre back at 25.
The 25 year-old possesses a lot of the qualities Arsenal will be looking for in a potential new centre back signing, however his manager Luciano Spalletti seems certain that the Greek international will not be leaving the Italian side this summer.
Spalletti told the press: ‘In my opinion, and especially for those who are here, it is easy to see that there are no problems.
‘Manolas is a good footballer, like there are many good footballers, and so it can happen that he will be linked in the transfer market – indeed it is inevitable. But his intentions are clear, so there are no issues. Why not talk instead about the problem of writing about issues that are not there? Manolas will stay with us.’
Therefore despite interest from a few Premier League clubs including the Gunners, the Greek international seems certain to stay at his current club if his manager has anything to do with it. Manolas would be a decent player for Arsenal to target this summer because he’s got a few years of good experience, but is also still young. He wouldn’t cost too much to sign, but with Spalletti wishing for him to stay, I’m sure Roma would pinch for every penny they could get.
Who else leads our list of potential incoming defenders, or do Arsenal already have enough centre backs on their books?