Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Kostas Manolas and Joel Campbell Rumours

AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas has turned down a deal to stay with the Serie A giants, opening the door for Arsenal and Chelsea to battle for the Greece centre-back.

Tom Olver of Metro.co.uk reported that the 25-year-old star, who has grown in stature since joining the Giallorossi in 2014, is being "heavily linked" with a move to English football.

Manolas is also being monitored by Manchester United and is rated at £30 million by the Italians, according to Olver.

His agent has admitted Manolas rejected a £2.3 million-per-season contract to stay in the Italian capital. "It’s true, I can confirm we have not agreed a contract renewal with Roma," Iannis Evangelopoulos told LaRoma24.it (h/t Football Italia). "Could he [Manolas] reach it over the next few weeks? I doubt we will."

Manolas started 36 games for Roma last term in Serie A, according to WhoScored.com, and proved to be one of the league's most consistent performers.

Here is a video of the player in action:

Richard Morgan of Sky Sports recently described the talents of the Greece international, highlighting his attributes: "Manolas is a strong, powerful, all-round defender with pace to burn, qualities that should serve him well in the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. In essence, Manolas is a good old-fashioned centre-back with a fondness for tackling."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will want to strengthen his defence after the Gunners blew the chance to win the Premier League when other top sides faltered in 2015-16.

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Chelsea and United will undertake rebuilding projects with new coaches this summer, and Wenger will have to be prepared to compete if his rivals table bids for Manolas. 

In other news, Wenger has reportedly told Joel Campbell to "look for a new team" as he prepares his squad during pre-season training.

Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star) claimed the Costa Rica international can leave on loan or permanently. Valencia are believed to covet the attacker, who impressed during his most recent run in the first team at the Emirates Stadium.

AC Milan have also enquired about the player's availability in recent months, according to the Spanish paper.

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Campbell has often found himself nudged toward the door by Wenger over the years, as Wenger has farmed him out on loan to Real Betis, Olympiakos and Villarreal.

The 24-year-old attacker showed potential last term, featuring in 19 Premier League games before heading to the Copa America Centenario, per WhoScored.

Despite winning over many Arsenal fans, it is unlikely he'll have a long-term career with the Gunners as the club chases primary attacking targets.

Campbell remains a solid substitute in Wenger's setup, but he doesn't have the depth of talent to make a huge impact in English football for a title-challenging unit.