Real Madrid have one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe thanks to the presence of two star defenders such as Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. However, the depth is quite thin behind them and with the exception of Nacho, no other player seems able to fill the void on a potential absence of these two.
With that in mind, Los Merengues have began to search the market for potential defensive reinforcements. They have been linked with several interesting players, and the latest of the bunch to emerge as a potential summer signing is AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas.
The Greece international has been linked with a move away from Roma thanks to the stellar season he has had, and many see him as being ready to take the next step. He showcased his quality during the UEFA Champions League this season, where he scored the goal against FC Barcelona that sent the Italian side into the semifinals.
Another thing that could force Roma to perform a sale is the fact that they need to raise considerable funds to avoid FIFA Financial Fair Play sanctions. Parting ways with Manolas – who might interest Los Blancos – could allow them to keep hold of players like Alisson and Nainggolan.
Manolas has proven his quality since joining AS Roma from Olympiakos four years ago, going on to make 128 Serie A appearances. If anything, he seems ready to take the next step in his career.
