Arsenal have been boosted by a release clause in target Kostas Manolas' contract.

The Greek international, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, was linked with Arsenal before they signed Shkodran Mustafi.

But with the Gunners sticking with a back three, Arsene Wenger is said to be weighing up defensive targets.

And Calcio Mercato reports Arsenal are eyeing a move for Manolas - who has a release clause of £30.8m

A lot of money for a defender?

Mourinho on Ozil

Mesut Ozil was on the scoresheet in midweek (
Image:
PA)

Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out Manchester United making a move for Mesut Ozil.

United have been linked with a move for Arsenal’s Ozil next summer, when the Germany international is likely to be a free agent

Ozil will feature against United on Saturday along with teammate Alexis Sanchez, who is also a free agent next summer.

Mourinho did nothing to dismiss that link when asked if he would move for Ozil when the player’s contract expires.

“No comment,” said Mourinho, before admitting it was no surprise to him that players like Ozil and Sanchez were happy to run down their contracts.

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Wenger on defensive record

Wenger gestures (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Arsene Wenger has talked up Arsenal’s defensive stability but is ready for that to be tested to the limit by Manchester United’s “power”.

Wenger believes old foes United look much more like a Jose Mourinho side following his latest summer window.

Old Trafford has slowly become the land of the giants under Mourinho and he added Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof and also re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to his squad in the close season to increase his quota of big men.

But Wenger has every reason to be confident his side can nullify the Old Trafford’s side threat.

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