Arsenal close to replacing Vermaelen with Greek World Cup star
Published:Arsenal’s mission to replace Thomas Vermaelen could be nearing completion following fresh reports of a move.
Just a few weeks after waving goodbye to their long-term club captain, Arsenal look like they may be landing Greek international defender Kostas Manolas from Olympiacos in an £8m deal.
Manolas was one of Greece’s stand-out performers at the World Cup as they made it through to the knock-out stages in the most dramatic of fashions thanks to a last-gasp penalty.
Still only 23, Manolas followed up some impressive displays in last season’s Champions League for Olympiacos with further notable perfromaces in Brazil.
The centre-back had been attracting interest from the likes of Juventus and Manchester United earlier in the summer but now it seems as if Arsenal are in pole position.
Gunners fans will be relieved to hear the club are bringing in reinforcements.
Gooners crave their club being able to sustain a proper tilt at both the Premier League title and Champions League this season, something they’ve not been capable of for many years.
While Calum Chambers looks a fantastic player in the making, being forced to draft in their new 20-year-old signing to play out of his natural position at the start of the campaign is not an ideal scenario.
Germany international Per Mertesacker should be in line for a return to the starting line-up against Everton following an extended post-World Cup break, but first-rate cover is certainly required after Vermaelen’s exit.
Arsenal will be looking to avenge a 3-0 pasting at Goodison Park last season when they travel to Everton for the Saturday evening kick-off , where Ladbrokes price the Londoners as 17/10 shots for the win.
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