Reports have emerged that Arsenal dithered in it attempts to sign Kostas Manolas which has resulted in the Greece international’s eminent move to Roma.
Arsenal was reported to have agreed personal terms with Kostas Manolas and the player was in for his medicals, but Arsenal just like old declined to meet the valuation of the player.
Greece international Kostas Manolas who plies his trade with Olympiacos was heavily linked to Arsenal before the new season started with several media pointing out that a deal was close.
This reports of Arsenal’s failed attempt to bring in Kostas Manolas is obviously a set back to the club’s plans to strengthen it central defence. The fears now being expressed in some quarters is that Arsene Wenger might choose to settle for the central defenders at his disposal without bringing in reinforcement in the transfer market.
Last season, the club got away with just three central defenders, but at the moment, there are just two senior centre halves at the club following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen. It would just be like Arsene Wenger to rely on Calum Chambers’ as his back up centre half without bringing in another defender thereby leaving the club short in defence.
The Frenchman had previously said that he was going to react in the event of Thomas Vermaelen’s departure from the club, yet nothing has been done in that regard. And the club has obviously missed an opportunity to bring in an adequate replacement for the Belgian in the person of Kostas Manolas.
With reports that Kostas Manolas is close to joining Roma, it means Arsenal’s dithering and refusal to mean the asking price of yet another player has cost them again. This same situation has played out several times in the past. Which means even with the club’s new found financial power; there is still a reticence to meet the valuation of players.
What it means is that followers of the club face an anxious wait to see who the club decides to bring in between now and the end of the window, as the list of possible targets continues to grow thin because of Arsene Wenger’s dangling over transfer fees.
Kostas Manolas had emerged as an Arsenal target a couple of weeks ago, and he was reportedly valued at £8 million, but Olympiacos were thought to be holding out for more, something Arsenal was not willing to do.
It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger would still bring in another defender, and who the identity of the player would be.
