Club confident of keeping defender after meeting with Arsenal representative on Tuesday

One of the sporadic rumours of the window, Kostas Manolas’ exit from AS Roma seemed prevented after alleged interest from Manchester United and Chelsea was fought off, but it’s been claimed that Arsenal’s desperation has apparently rekindled it.

According to Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, an Arsenal emissary was sent to try and open negotiations with Walter Sabatini regarding the Greek defender, but the Italian director of football is said to be confident in his attempts to stop the London club from getting their man. 

A transfer for next season seems like the more likely option if they were to let him go, but not now, mostly because of a clause inserted by Olympiakos when Roma bought him stating that any transfer done before the 1st of September 2016 would see half the fee go to the Super League champions.

Roma, if they are to sell him for a huge profit (bought for £11m) will want to keep all of the money, and Arsenal might have to look elsewhere. Again.