According to a recent report by Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United are keeping tabs on the development of AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas ahead of a potential move during the January transfer window. It is understood that the Serie A prospect has a release clause of £32m in his current contract with Roma which has caught the attention of the Red Devils along with Juventus.
The 27-year-old is currently out of action with an ankle injury, but he has already put in some commanding displays at the Stadio Olimpico during this campaign. The Greek international has featured in 13 matches for Roma this term and has two goals to his name across all competitions.
Manolas’s Incredible Rise In Greek Football
Manolas began his football career at the Greek club, Thrasyvoulos Fylis before making a switch to AEK Athens in the summer of 2009. After spending three years at the Greek capital, the Naxos born talent decided to join Olympiacos back in 2014 where he made a name for himself making 74 appearances with six goals and two assists to his name.
His incredible performances for the European giants saw him become a two-time champion in Greece while he also lifted the Greek Cup twice during his time at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Then, AS Roma decided to snap him up in the summer of 2014 where he has become a top-class defender.
What Will Manolas Add To Mourinho’s Team?
Manolas is an outstanding defender as he can make clean interceptions without giving away cheap fouls. He has mastered the art of tackling and is quite capable when asked to man-mark a player out of the game. The Greek defender also has a lot of pace in his locker which helps him cover a lot of ground when the opposition looks to threaten on the counter.
He will be the perfect signing for Jose Mourinho as his strengths match up with the Portuguese manager’s tactics well. The Red Devils are in dire need of a world-class defender and in Manolas, that’s precisely what they will be getting. Although there are some concerns regarding whether the 27-year-old will be able to adapt to life in the Premier League quickly, yet the pros outweigh the cons as his defensive qualities are undeniable on the pitch.
Mourinho should do everything in his power to lure the Greek international to Old Trafford as he could help them claim a top 4 finish at the end of this campaign. With a £32m release clause, Manolas could be one of the bargains of this January transfer window, so United should waste no time in their efforts to seal a move for the Roma prospect.
