Arsenal closing in on Kostas Manolas

Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly inching closer to the signature of Olympiakos defender Kostas Manolas, according to The Metro.

The Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is well aware of the club's need for a new central defender following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona earlier this month.

The North London club have been tracking Manolas over the past 18 months, and a report from the Metro now claims that the club are ready to pay a fee in the region of £8m to secure the player's services by this week.

Arsenal play away at Besiktas in the first-leg of the Champions League play-offs.