Wenger clearly wants more defensive bodies and this guy fits the bill. Haven't seen much of him but Greece were impressive defensively at the WC, that can only bode well for him.

Very happy if we get this wrapped up. Will be well covered at CB then.

Manolas and Rabiot would make this our best year of transfer activity ever and I would give total kudos the the club's executive if they can pull it off.

Even without a striker?

Manolas will take us up to 70%

Plus A Proper DM/CM = 80%

Add my top striker, and we're hi fiving in May.

qs! wrote:

Even without a striker?

I think the team will compensate for Giroud with an eventual lineup of Sachez and Walcott running off him.

Unless we could have got a 6'2 beast with awesome technique, finishing and hold up play for CF we couldn't have done better this summer. Cavani isn't going anywhere and would cost £50-60m and there is nothing else out there worth the money compared with what we have done with our cash so far.

Manolas and Rabiot wouldn't even get into the team. They are absolute nonfactors at this stage and wouldn't change the feeling that it has been a disappointing transfer window.

I'm not sold on the idea of bringing in Manolas for the record. I'm sure he's a good talend but we need an experienced signing; someone in his prime. Should have been either him or Chambers, not both at the same time.

I would agree on Manolas. To add to you said, he comes from a inferior league from far away and would be a big risk in terms of him settling here.

Also Rabiot however talented is too young to make the needed impact IMO.

Dunno why we never put in any bid for Lovren, he was the best CB outside the top 4 in the league last season IMO. Unlike many CBs coming from mid-table sides, he's used to being isolated or defending with a lot of space behind his back due to Southampton's adventurous style of play.

You always get the idea that there is a mistake in him though (similar to Ferdinand pre 2006) but he's a superb passer of the ball, with both feet! Liverpool are going to get a lot of joy going forward if they pair him with Sakho at CB.

I am not into ridiculous, but it might have to do something with him wanting to go to Liverpool.

Or Liverpool wanting him more..

Sport24 in Greece reporting we have reached an agreement for €11m with Olympiacos.

Wow really? Are they reliable?

Worth noting that he's not exactly a kid. Turned 23 in June. Both Kos and Verm were around that age when we bought them and it's an age where you can expect the guy to start producing or be close to it.

Klaus wrote:

Manolas and Rabiot wouldn't even get into the team. They are absolute nonfactors at this stage and wouldn't change the feeling that it has been a disappointing transfer window.

I'm not sold on the idea of bringing in Manolas for the record. I'm sure he's a good talend but we need an experienced signing; someone in his prime. Should have been either him or Chambers, not both at the same time.

Don't know anything about him, but at 23 he is in or at least heading into his prime, no? Given the respective ages of Mert and Koscielny, I think that's a good age. Has CL and World Cup experience which isn't bad.

Assuming he's got the quality, of which I have no idea, I think it's the right sort of signing.

23 is definitely a good age.

otfgoon wrote:

Don't know anything about him, but at 23 he is in or at least heading into his prime, no?

At 23, with 70 career starts in the Greek league under his belt, he's practically a baby in terms of experience. We've got Chambers already. We need someone who's ready to make 30 starts this year if Kos or Mert get injured.

Just get Howedes and be done with it. He'd be ideal.

Klaus wrote:

otfgoon wrote:

Don't know anything about him, but at 23 he is in or at least heading into his prime, no?

At 23, with 70 career starts in the Greek league under his belt, he's practically a baby in terms of experience. We've got Chambers already. We need someone who's ready to make 30 starts this year if Kos or Mert get injured.

You make a good point but, realistically, whenever Wenger's brought in an 'experienced' head to cover the defence, it's ended badly. See: Silvestre, Squillaci, Cygan.

If Wenger's not confortable finding that kind of player, I'm happy with Manolas. Also, given his profile, he might be willing to ride the bench for a season or two before being promoted while someone like Lovren may not be happy about that. Hell, Kel likes the look of him - and he's never liked a player we've been linked with. Ever.*

*possibly.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Just get Howedes and be done with it. He'd be ideal.

The perfect signing at this stage. I would trust him against Bayern in Champions League if it came down to it.