Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has identified Roma defender Kostas Manolas as the one to replace injured Per Mertesacker in his defensive department, Calciomercato.com has reported.
Sky Sports revealed that the German will be out for five months after suffering a knee injury.
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti made it clear that the player is not for sale but according to the report the Frenchman will still approach the Giallorossi with an offer.
"In my opinion, and especially for those who are here, it is easy to see that there are no problems," Spalletti told reporters.
"Manolas is a good footballer, like there are many good footballers, and so it can happen that he will be linked in the transfer market – indeed it is inevitable.
"But his intentions are clear, so there are no issues.
"Why not talk instead about the problem of writing about issues that are not there?
"Manolas will stay with us."
