Arsenal aim to beat Chelsea to signing of Roma defender

Rob Conlon
Kostas Manolas: Defender stalls over Roma deal

Kostas Manolas: Defender stalls over Roma deal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to reignite his interest in Chelsea target Kostas Manolas this summer, according to reports.

Wenger tried to sign Manolas from Olympiakos two years ago, before Roma swooped in at the eleventh hour to land the centre-back in a £9.75million deal.

Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been strongly linked with a move for the 24-year-old, who has impressed in Serie A this term, as a potential replacement for Blues captain John Terry.

And according to Football Insider, Wenger also wants to bolster his central defence with the Greece international.

Arsenal are currently relying on only three centre-backs, while Per Mertesacker, who turns 32 in September, is out of contract at the end of next season.

Manolas’ value is likely to have increased considerably over the past two seasons, and the defender still has three years of his contract remaining.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright, meanwhile, has urged Wenger to sign more leaders in the summer, and has backed supporters who have voiced their frustrations with the Gunners this term.