Arsene Wenger is still trying to bring in a replacement after losing Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona earlier this month. Despite adding Calum Chambers, Wengers wants to provide more cover for first-choice central defender pairing of Lorient Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Manolas was expected to sign for Arsenal after his representatives held talks with the club last Friday. However, AS Roma have stepped in and have prepared a more lucrative offer to snatch away Manolas, according to Goal.

The report suggests that Roma are willing to cough up £10 million for his services, £2 million more than Arsenal, and will also entice the defender by offering a five-year contract. The Italian club are expected to lose highly-rated centre-back Mehdi Benatia to Bayern Munich in a £30 million deal, and have lined up Manolas as a replacement.

Arsenal could now turn their attention to West Ham United’s Winston Reid and Manchester City’s Matija Nastasic to shore up their defence.