Arsenal
International Star In London For Medical Ahead Of £17.5m Move To Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is in London to undergo his medical ahead of a £17.5m move to Arsenal this summer
The summer transfer window is now open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is close to joining Arsenal…
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is in London to undergo his medical ahead of a £17.5m move to Arsenal this summer, according to reports in Germany via the Metro.
New head coach Unai Emery is working with Sven Mislintat to strengthen our squad this summer and a centre-back is a priority after we conceded 51 Premier League goals last season.
Laurent Koscielny is facing six months on the sidelines following surgery and Per Mertesacker has retired so Emery needs to sign at least one defender and Papastathopoulos has emerged as a key target.
The Independent reported last week that Arsenal were in advanced talks with Dortmund to secure a deal to sign the Greek international with Mislintat playing a key role in negotiations.
Our head of recruitment knows Papastathopoulos well from their time together at the Westfalonstadion and it seems Mislintat is keen to be reunited with the 29-year-old at the Emirates this summer.
The transfer is now on the verge of completion as the Metro are citing a report from Sky Germany that claims Papastathopoulos flew-in to London on Sunday evening to undergo his medical with Arsenal today [Monday].
The centre-back has just one year left on his contract and failed to agree terms over an extension so the German outlet says Arsenal will pay Dortmund £17.5m for his signature this summer.
Papastathopoulos has been a key part of Dortmund’s defence since joining the club from Werder Bremen five years ago and he has 79 caps for Greece so he’ll add some vital experience to our defence.
READ –> Arsenal in race to sign £23m Dutchman
The 6ft 1in centre-back shouldn’t have any trouble adapting to life in English football as he enjoys the physical side of the game and it looks like Papastathopoulos is set to become Emery’s first signing since arriving at the club.
