Arsenal agree personal terms with Manolas, transfer set for summer

 

Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Roma defender Kostas Manolas and will seal the signature of the Greek international this summer, 

What’s the word?

Arsenal may have spent £35m to bring Shkodran Mustafi to North London in the summer but it seems they’re still looking to bolster their back-line, with reports indicating that the Gunners have agreed personal terms with Roma’s Kostas Manolas.

The 25-year-old was a target for Arsenal before he moved to Rome and Arsenal have swooped to stop the Italian side securing his future with the club, as he was previously widely expected to sign a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma, who are pushing Juventus for the Serie A title, are not prepared to lose Manolas on Deadline Day but will allow a transfer to go ahead at the end of the season if Arsenal match their demands of £47m– a figure that would become a club record for the Gunners.

Is he needed?

Arsenal’s defence has been shaky at times this season but it is still one of the strongest in the Premier League. However, despite the fact he signed an extension recently, Per Mertesacker doesn’t have too long left- probably 18 months at maximum.

Meanwhile, Laurent Koscielny is now the wrong side of 30 and Arsenal will be thinking about his long-term future. Excluding those two veterans, Arsenal’s options stand at Rob Holding, Mustafi and Gabriel Paulista.

Calum Chambers will return on-loan from Middlesbrough at the end of the season but there are question marks about what his future position will be and three defenders isn’t enough. Having said that, it may be a bit premature to spend such a vast amount on a defender.