According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Manchester City are looking to beat Arsenal to the signing of AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas. (h/t The Metro)
The Greece international, 27, moved to AS Roma from Olympiacos in 2014 and has since established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in Serie A. However, he is one of a number of players tipped to depart the Italian capital following Roma’s failure to secure Champions League football next term.
Arsenal have been long linked with the 27-year-old, but Manchester City are now very much interested in signing him. The report claims that Kostas Manolas has an attainable release clause of £32m, which is perhaps why he’s attracted the attention of a number of big European clubs.
City manager Pep Guardiola needs to sign a central defender this summer following the departure of Vincent Kompany, who has become the player-manager of his former club Anderlecht after the expiry of his contract at the Etihad. There are also long-term doubts over the futures of Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, who could both leave this summer for the right price.
Should Otamendi and Mangala also leave, Guardiola will be left with only Aymeric Laporte and John Stones as options in central defence. So, signing a central defender has to be priority for Manchester City to put pressure on Laporte and Stones going into the new season.
Kostas Manolas could be the answer to City’s defensive problems. Powerful, quick and composed on the ball, the Greek personifies the modern-day centre-half. He can spray passes with ease and drive forward with the ball at his feet before making a smart release to one of his teammates. That makes him perfect for Guardiola’s system.
The 27-year-old is robust and no-nonsense when required, but his biggest asset is the way he reads the game. Manolas is a tenacious tackler and uses his aggression, sheer strength and power to recover possession. He likes to come off his line to challenge the attackers but he knows how to balance that with his composure and concentration.
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As mentioned earlier, the former Olympiakos star is extremely composed on the ball which would help him quickly integrate into Guardiola’s style of play at City. Not to forget, the Greece international has solid European experience as well which could prove invaluable for Guardiola’s side keen to win the Champions League.
At 27, Manolas has likely entered the prime years of his career. Hence, it would be a smart idea for Guardiola to bring in the Greek to increase competition for places at the back.