Arsenal are in desperate need of another defender urgently, and everybody seems to agree that our top target is the Olmpiakos centre-back Kostas Manolas, who is also being chased by Juventus, according to the Greek giants representative, Christian Karembeu.
He was quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “We are not willing to negotiate his sale for less than £8m. We have not set a deadline for clubs to bid but, if we receive the right offer, we’re willing to sell him. Otherwise, we will keep him.
“Juventus are interested and have made a sound offer. They are not the only ones interested in him, though.
“In the last few days, interesting proposals have also arrived from England.”
Even the player himself is keen on making the move quickly, and has spoken to the club about it. “Yes, Manolas confronted me recently,” added Karembeu. “This is normal, he’s a young guy and for the first time he is seeing his name linked with major European clubs.
“I’m not shocked by the attention he’s getting.
“We were sure he would become a player with a lot of international interest in the transfer market, even more so after his great World Cup performances.
“He has made a deal with the president that he will accept a transfer to whichever team meets the financial demands of the club, be that Juve or an English club.”
So if Arsenal are in dire need, why doesn’t Wenger just pay the money. It’s not a fortune in footballing terms….