Reports: Arsenal eye Greece defender Kostas Manolas as Thomas Vermaelen replacement

Kostas Manolas (R) in action for the Greek national team

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen is expected to leave the club this summer, and Arsene Wenger is reportedly eyeing Olympiakos defender Kostas Manolas as his replacement, according to the Metro.

Vermaelen has a year left on his deal at the Emirates, and he is believed to be close to a £10 million move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. He spent most of last season on the bench, but his departure would leave Arsene Wenger with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as the only established centre-backs in his squad. Bacary Sagna was the club’s fourth choice in central defence last season, but he has signed for Manchester City on a free transfer.

Manolas is valued at around £8 million, after an excellent season with Olympiakos and several impressive displays for Greece at the World Cup in Brazil. Juventus are believed to be interested in signing the 23-year-old as well.

The defender played in all four of Greece’s World Cup fixtures, and won 75% of his attempted tackles, but he was unable to prevent their elimination to Costa Rica on penalties in the last 16.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Southampton’s Dejan Lovrenrecently, but he seems likely to follow Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana to Liverpool.