Roma ‘slap £38m price tag on Arsenal target Manolas’

Mark Scott

Reluctant Roma have set Kostas Manolas’ asking price at £38m with Arsenal reportedly keen on signing the Greek international defender.

According to Goal, the hefty fee is due to the fact that the Italian club are struggling with injuries in the centre of defence and unwilling to sell a key figure without adequate cover.

Antonio Rudiger is the main absentee after he tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee, so with Roma playing hard-ball it may force the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to look elsewhere – potentially to Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly who has rejected a new contract.

The report also mentions that there is a clause within Manolas’ current contract with Roma which would see 50% of his future fee go to his former club Olympiacos, although the percentage is open to negotiation.