Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Kostas Manolas and Paul-Georges Ntep

AS Roma star Kostas Manolas continues to be linked with Arsenal, with the latest reports suggesting the Gunners want the Greece international to replace Per Mertesacker. Meanwhile, Rennes star Paul-Georges Ntep could be the subject of a battle between manager Arsene Wenger's side and Liverpool.

According to Sport (h/t Metro's Tom Olver), Manolas is stalling on signing on a new contract with Roma amid plenty of speculation he could finally be on his way to the Premier League.

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The Greece international has been linked with a move to Arsenal for some time now and was one of the most talked about defensive targets during the summer transfer window.

He ended up staying in Italy and has started the 2016-17 season in fine form―which has in turn led to even more speculation. Roma have plenty of defensive depth, and for the right fee, Manolas could be available.

As shared by Football Italia, he is taking his game to new heights this season:

Per Olver, Manolas' agent Ioannis Evangelopoulos said Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United were interested in his client during the summer, and given his strong form, their interest likely persists.

The 25-year-old is a powerful, athletic defender who does his best work in open space. He has tremendous vision and awareness and is one of the best shot-blockers in Serie A.

He can also be effective with the ball at his feet and even burst into space and move up the pitch if needed, but the Giallorossi mainly use him as the prototypical anchor.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

With Antonio Rudiger close to returning from injury and the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus all capable of playing in the heart of the defence, Roma can afford to part with Manolas for a big fee that the club can reinvest in other areas.

Arsenal splashed the cash on Shkodran Mustafi during the summer, and he's expected to partner Laurent Koscielny as the top defensive duo moving forward, but depth behind those two is limited for the Gunners.

Mertesacker provides valuable experience and depth, but if the German does leave the club, additions will have to be made. Gabriel Paulista has fallen down the pecking order, and youngsters Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are long-term prospects, not short-term answers.

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Elsewhere, the Sun (h/t Daily Star's James Benson) reported Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool are keeping an eye on Ntep, the Rennes star who is in the final year of his current contract.

Per the report, Rennes hope they can sell him in January rather than lose him for free during the summer. The France international has outgrown the club and is ready for a move to a bigger team―he's not expected to sign a new deal anytime soon.

Here are some of his highlights:

The speedy winger is a fine player with quick feet and the dribbling ability to succeed in the Premier League, and his status as an impending free agent makes him a very intriguing target.

He could sign a pre-contract in January, but even if a club decides to spend money on Ntep and bring him to England in January, his eventual fee should be well below his actual worth.

Lyon are strong candidates to keep him in France, however, per the Sun. The club could lose star players like Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir to the Premier League in the near future, and Ntep would be a fine and cost-effective replacement.