Manchester United are in the market to replace Inter Milan bound Nemanja Vidic and they have reportedly set their eyes on young Olympiakos defender Konstantinos Manolas.
Italian website transfermarketweb.com has reported today that currently on a deal with Olympiakos until June 2016, Greek international centre-back Konstantinos Manolas (22), already tracked by Juventus, has been targeted by Manchester United as well. The player’s transfer value is esteemed to be around six million euros.
The 22-year-old stopper has been in fine form for the Greek giants this season and has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. Manolas is a nephew of Greek football and AEK legend Stelios Manolas.
Manolas started his professional career at AEK Athens where he made 66 appearances. On 1 July 2012, Manolas joined Olympiacos on a free transfer until 30 June 2016 after his contract with AEK Athens has expired. He made his debut against PAS Giannina F.C. in a 1-2 away win. He scored his first goal for Olympiacos against Skoda Xanthi F.C. in a 4-0 home win.
Because of his very good appearances with AEK, former Greek national manager Otto Rehhagel called him up for the 30 man provisional World Cup squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but failed to make the final 23 man squad. Manolas would have to wait three years before eventually making his international debut against Lithuania, as part of Greece’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Everton, who were at the time under the stewardship of Davids Moyes, came close to landing his signature in 2012 before he decided against making the move to Goodison Park. However, Moyes remained a fan and kept a close eye on his career development ever since.
With club captain Nemanja Vidic is already confirmed as leaving at the end of the season for Inter Milan, while growing age of Rio Ferdinand a big concern, United will be short of quality in central defence next season, which has seen a host of names linked with moves to Old Trafford in recent months.