Arsenal are reported to be preparing a £6m bid for Olympiacos defender Kostas Manolas, as Arsene Wenger faces yet another injury-crisis.
Wenger has turned his attentions to the Greece international as he looks to bolster his defensive options following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona.
Manolas has been scouted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs and has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus in the last few weeks, but Wenger is set to give the green light for the move after seeing his defence hit with a number of injuries.
Kieran Gibbs is the latest defender to be ruled out for a number of weeks and Laurent Koscielny has been playing with an Achilles problem meaning that Wenger may have to rush Per Mertesacker back from his extended leave after helping Germany to a World Cup win.
According to the Daily Mirror the 23-year old could be available for as little as £6m, but Olympiacos could drive a hard bargain after seeing interest in the Greek continue to rise.
Wenger has a list of potential candidates to replace Vermaelen including Manchester City’s Matija Nastasic, but believes Manolas will be the best value for money.
Meanwhile Arsenal look set to let Ignasi Miquel leave the club with several clubs chasing the Spanish U-21 star.