Man United hold positive talk with Chelsea, Arsenal’s long-term target
Apr 14, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Manchester united are all set to make a formal offer for Arsenal and Chelsea target Costas Manolas after holding positive talks with the Roma defenders agent recently, reports football Italia.
Manolas made his name at Olympiakos before moving to Serie A in 2014 where he has continued to forge a reputation as one of the best central defenders in Italian football at present with a string of brilliant displays for Roma.
However, the Greek defender is being tipped to leave Serie A in order to take a new challenge this summer and there seems to be no shortage of interest from the Premier League with a number of elite clubs being regularly linked with Manolas.
According to a report from Football Italia, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has renewed his interest after narrowly missing out on the defender two years ago while new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is believed to have decided Manolas as one of the first players he would want to take with him to Stamford Bridge.
However, it appears the Londoners have some serious catching up to do as latest reports suggest that Manchester United are in pole position after arranging a successful meeting with the 24-year-old’s agents regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.
The reports indicate United were given positive signs that Manolas is interested in the move so the Red Devils are now prepared to step-up their interest through a formal offer as they want to pip Arsenal and Chelsea to the highly-rated defender’s signature.
Louis van Gaal is desperate to reinforce in areas of need and the injury-hit, make-shift defence clearly require some improvement from what they showed this season.
But it remains to be seen how Arsenal and Chelsea will respond to the news of United’s interest as it looks like they will have to be active as early as possible if they want to stand a chance of signing the talented centre-back this summer.
Manolas would become an excellent signing for any of the English trio who are reportedly in pursuit as he has been exceptional at the back this year with the Greek star ever-present for Luciano Spalletti’s team this term.
We will have to wait and see whether Roma will be prepared to do business but as Manolas has three more years left to run on his contract, it may take big money to persuade the Italians to let go their star performer this summer.