Arsenal Set To Seal Move For £16m Greek Defender
Sokratis Papastathopoulos will undergo a medical over the next few days.
German footy magazine Kicker (via London Football News) have reported that Arsenal are set to confirm 29-year old Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as their first major signing of the summer.
The centre back joined Dortmund from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen in 2013, has scored seven goals in close to 200 appearances for Die Borussen and represented Greece at the 2012 European Championships and the 2014 World Cup.
A physically strong defender who doesn't roam forward too often, he's exactly what Arsenal need to solidify a defence that often looked painfully weak last season.
New Emirates boss Unai Emery will be mindful that his squad requires a significant revamp during the transfer window, and this is the first step towards ensuring a more solid campaign. Papastathopoulos, who only had one year left on his Dortmund contract, will sign for £16 million and undergo a medical at Arsenal over the next few days.
Let's hope no Gunners fans agreed to get Emery's first major signing on the back of their 2018-19 replica kit. We're not sure Papastathopoulos would fit, so it's likely wise to follow Dortmund's example and splash Sokratis on there instead.