Arsenal are reportedly planning a summer move for Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Arsene Wenger is certain to be in the market for at least one centre-half at the end of the season, and the Greek International fits the bill according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
But the Gunners are likely to face some stiff competition to land the 29-year-old, with Manchester United, Juventus and Chelsea all believed to be interested.
PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £10k!
Papastathopoulos, rated at about £25million, joined Dortmund in 2013 when now-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was in charge.
Since then he has become one of the Bundesliga club’s most reliable players and has had interest from a number of clubs.
He has made 192 appearances for Dortmund.
Papastathopoulos reportedly wants to leave the German club in January to try and win more trophies.
He is under contract until 2019 and Dortmund will know they could cash in during the summer.
Arsenal centre-half Per Mertesacker is expected to retire in the summer to take up a coaching role at the club.
CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver
Speaking last summer about the opportunity to move into the backroom staff at the Emirates, Mertesacker said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for me and I am delighted that I will be able to stay part of the Arsenal family.”
READ MORE:
- 7 rules from other sports that would make football ten times more exciting (and probably much worse)
- The true story behind English football’s most complicated rivalry
- Aaron Ramsey’s resumé of spectacular goals rivals anyone else’s in history