Finally a world-class defender? Wenger reportedly identified 1st summer signing

Roma defender, Kostas Manolas, has been on the radar of a few Premier League clubs for the past few seasons with Chelsea looking to be the favorite to lure the Greek center-back away from Italy.

It appears now though, that Arsene Wenger has decided to step up the chase for Manolas after his own center-backs have been less than convincing this year. Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista have looked wobbly at times and they have shipped goals at important times. This has effectively ruled Arsenal out of the title-race for yet another year.

They do have Laurent Koscielny, who has played well but he currently seems leagues apart from the other defenders. In order to compete at the highest level it is essential to have a quality center of defense. Paulista is growing into his new role but he is still young, whereas Mertesacker seems a little off the pace and past his prime.

Manolas has been linked with Arsenal before, back when he turned out for Olympiacos, but Arsenal refused to pay the £12million price tag. It will probably cost them at least twice that now to sign the Greek defender. He is still only 24 years of age but the defender is strong, speedy and tall, giving him an advantage over his opponents.

Manolas has been capped by his country 23 times and Wenger has noted the maturity shown by the defender. Could this be Wenger’s first singing of the new season? Will Arsene Wenger still be in charge next season?