Transfer Fight: Arsenal Face Juventus Battle For Roma Defender

North London giants Arsenal will have to contend with Italian champions Juventus in their quest to sign AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas during this summer’s transfer window.

This is according to the publication from II Messaggero which claimed that the two clubs, Arsenal and Juventus, are keen on a summer move for Manolas.

It was revealed that the Greek international center-back has a release clause and both clubs are ready to pay it.

The player will decide whether he wants to stay in Italy or move to the Premier League this summer.

AS Roma have no power to retain the player since he has a release clause.

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Kostas Manolas has been a key player for AS Roma since moving to the Italian capital club five years ago.

He was linked with the Gunners before joining Roma from Greek giants Olympiacos in the summer of 2014.

His finest hour in the Roma shirt came during the Champions League clash with Spanish champions Barcelona last season.

Manolas scored the third and final goal of the game to hand the Italians a Champions League semifinal berth via the away goals rule after their 3-0 win over the Spanish La Liga giants.

Roma had earlier lost the first leg 4-1 in Spain.