Kostas Manolas Undergoes Arsenal Medical After Snubbing Juventus and Manchester United

Arsenal are reportedly close to completing a move for Manchester United summer target and Olympiakos defender Kostas Manolas in this summer transfer window.

According to Goal.com, the 23-year-old has undergone his medical with the Gunners before his proposed move to the Emirates. He played for Greece in the World Cup finals in Brazil and has been attracting interest since then.

The north London club's manager, Arsene Wenger, is looking to bring in a centre-back as a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who completed his switch to Barcelona earlier this summer.

Earlier reports suggested that United, along with European giants Bayern Munich, have entered the race in signing Manolas. However, it now looks like Arsenal are set to beat their league rivals and Bundesliga winners for the signing of the defender.

The Gunners made contact with Olympiakos earlier this month as they were aware of losing Vermaelen in this ongoing window. The Emirates club could also face competition from Juventus, whose interest is confirmed by the Greek club.

Olympiakos strategic director Christian Karembeu has admitted that potential suitors have to meet their £8m asking price in signing Manolas.

"Juventus are interested and have made a sound offer. They are not the only ones interested in him, though ... In the last few days interesting proposals have also arrived from England," Karembeu told Tuttosport.

"We are in contact with Juve chief Giuseppe Marotta; we will see in the next few days if any meetings come from this.

"We are not willing to negotiate his sale for less than €10m. We have not set a deadline for clubs to bid but, if we receive the right offer, we are willing to sell him. Otherwise, we will keep him," he added.

Despite interest from Juventus, Arsenal are set to beat the Italian champions in signing the Greece international as the player has already undergone his medical. Meanwhile, Karembeu has informed that Manolas has informed his current employers that he wants to leave Olympiakos this summer.

"Yes, Manolas confronted me recently. This is normal - he's a young guy and for the first time he is seeing his name linked with major European clubs," Olympiakos chief said.

"I'm not shocked by the attention he's getting. We were sure he would become a player with a lot of international interest in the transfer market, even more so after his great World Cup performances," he added.