An Olympiacos defender who had been earmarked for a move to Italy but it seems now that the Premier League could be calling in the shape of Arsenal looking to replace the outbound Thomas Vermaelen.
The 23-year-old Greek international is the nephew of Stelios Manolas who enjoys legendary status in Greece and seems to have the talent to continue the Manolas football dynasty a while longer. Kostas was part of the Greek squad for the 2014 World Cup and was selected among the Independent’s 50 best players of the Brazil tournament.
In 2013-14 reports in Greece (Gazzetta.gr) linked the player with Tottenham, Sunderland and Fulham who were all keeping tabs on the player over the January transfer window. Manolas also nearly joined Everton in 2012 after AEK agreed a fee only for the player himself to decline the move.
The most recent rumour puts Arsenal in the market for the player who’s recent links include Italian admirers Roma, Juventus and Napoli and it was Italy’s Tutto Mercato who have indicated that the Arsenal boss could make an approach.
There has been some speculation with the departure of the latest Arsenal captain that Wenger could strengthen that area despite Vermaelen being a few spots down the pecking order last term with the likes of Daniel Agger and Hummels.
The defender signed a contract extension in March which currently runs until 2017.
Source: DSG
