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According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, reported via Metro, Manchester United are considering making a move to trigger Roma defender Kostas Manolas’ £32 million buy-out clause.

What’s the word?

The buy-out clause does not become active until the end of the season, but there’s nothing to stop United - or any other interested parties - from entering into talks with the Serie A club now.

The Red Devils appear to be leading the race for the 27-year-old’s signature at this moment in time, but any deal is far from being done and the Old Trafford club could easily move onto other targets, so rivals should not give up interest in the Greek centre-back.

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Everton should be bold and offer themselves as an alternative Premier League destination for the 39-cap Greece international.

A summer upgrade

Beating United to Manolas would represent a major coup for the Toffees and would also be a big signal that Marco Silva is serious about making the Merseyside outfit a force capable of competing for Champions League football.

The addition of Manolas, and the boost in quality he would give to Everton’s defensive contingent, would take the club a big step closer to that ultimate goal.

With the likes of Phil Jagielka and on-loan Ashley Williams ageing, and Kurt Zouma’s loan switch from Chelsea set to expire at the end of the season, Silva will soon need to bring new centre-back options to Goodison Park. Securing an agreement now that’ll ensure Manolas’ arrival in the summer would be a proactive way of lining up an upgrade on these departing stars.