Roma Sign Kostas Manolas as Mehdi Benatia’s Replacement
By BBC Sport
AS Roma have swiftly filled the void left by Mehdi Benatia with the signing of Greek international defender Kostas Manolas from Olympiakos.
The 23-year-old centre-back penned a five-year contract with the Serie A club on Tuesday, following days of speculation linking him with a move to Italy. Roma secured the deal for an initial fee of €13 million, with an additional €2 million in performance-related bonuses.
Manolas’ arrival comes just after Benatia’s departure to Bayern Munich, with Roma moving quickly to reinforce their defensive line. The Italian club beat out strong competition from Arsenal and Valencia, both of whom were reportedly keen on acquiring the Greek defender.
A product of Olympiakos, Manolas began his professional journey with Thrasyvoulos and later made a name for himself at AEK Athens before moving to the Greek champions. He impressed on the European stage and during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he delivered solid performances for Greece, helping his profile rise significantly among Europe’s elite clubs.
Manolas had earlier spent time training at Olympique de Marseille and gained further attention during his time at Clermont and Udinese. His blend of physical strength, tactical awareness, and composure on the ball made him a prime target for clubs seeking defensive reinforcements.
Roma, under manager Rudi Garcia, are looking to build on a strong previous season and see Manolas as a key component of their ambitions, both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League.
The club will be hoping that Manolas can quickly adapt to life in Serie A and help fill the considerable gap left by Benatia’s departure.
