Arsenal show interest in Roma defender Kostas Manolas

As Arsene Wenger’s protracted search for a new defender continues, Roma ‘s Kostas Manolas has now emerged as the latest candidate to be linked with a potential switch to Arsenal.

Having already shown interest in the Greek international once before, the Premier League outfit have since rekindled their attraction due to various struggles in signing Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi.

According to The Daily Mail, The Gunners sent scouts to specifically observe Manolas’ performance during the Giallorossi’s disappointing 3-0 play-off defeat to Porto on Tuesday evening, although they could still launch a significant assault in the coming days.

Arsenal had been expected to swiftly complete a deal for Mustafi, however, the LaLiga outfit are now demanding a highly-inflated fee for the player, therefore, the unyielding Wenger has been forced to consider alternatives.

Manolas joined the Roman outfit from Olympiacos back in 2014, and has since gone on to make a total of 68 Serie A appearances for the club, scoring just two goals in the process.