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Arsenal plot shock move to beat Man United and Chelsea to £50m star - reports in Italy
ARSENAL are preparing to battle Manchester United and Chelsea for Roma defender Kostas Manolas, according to reports.
Kostas Manolas - 5 things you need to know
Arsenal were linked with a move for Manolas during the summer.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger instead opted to splash £35million on Shkodran Mustafi instead.
Manolas has since enjoyed a fine season at Roma, helping them up to second in the Serie A table.
The Greece international's displays in Italy has led to talk that Manchester United could be about to snap him up.
Arsenal are ready to battle Manchester United and Chelsea for Kostas Manolas
Kostas Manolas has been in stunning form for Roma this season
Jose Mourinho is said to want the defender as well as Benfica's Victor Lindelof.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have been backed to sign Manolas as a replacement for John Terry.
However, Italian outlet Corriere della Sera report that Arsene Wenger is ready to muscle in on their bid to sign the defender.
Wenger is on the lookout for a new defender to replace Per Mertesacker.
Kostas Manolas could replace Per Mertesacker at Arsenal
Mertesacker was appointed as club captain last summer but, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, is expected to return to Germany.
Manolas is under contract at Roma until 2019 - meaning a huge bid will have to be made to test their resolve.
His impressive performances mean that he is likely to command a fee of £47million - making him the world's third most expensive defender in the process.
David Luiz currently holds the record after joining Paris Saint-Germain from Chelsea for £50m in 2014, while John Stones moved to Manchester City from Everton for £47.5m in the summer.
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