Father Confirms Bundesliga Star Has Snubbed Man Utd To Join Arsenal In £16m Deal

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, the latest on Sokratis Papastathopoulos…

The father of Sokratis Papastathopoulos claims the Borussia Dortmund defender has snubbed interest from Manchester United in order to join Arsenal this summer, according to the Mirror.

Sokratis has been a key part of Dortmund’s defence since joining the club from Werder Bremen five years ago but his future at the Westfalonstadion has been in serious doubt in recent months.

The 29-year-old has just one year left on his contract and has refused to sign an extension so Dortmund have decided to cash-in rather than risk losing him for nothing in 12 months time.

The situation has led to interest from Arsenal with the Mirror claiming the north Londoners are set to wrap-up a £16m deal to make the centre-back Unai Emery’s first signing since becoming boss.

The newspaper says Sokratis will sign a three-year deal at the Emirates with the option of a further 12 months and is due to undergo his medical in London on Tuesday afternoon.

The Greek international’s father has now confirmed his son is heading to Arsenal and claims the defender snubbed interest from Manchester United in order to join the Gunners.

Speaking to Greek radio station Radio 24/7, Sokratis’ dad Charalambos Papastathopoulos is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“There was interest from United but he had to wait until July for them. United have a very good relationship with Dortmund, the teams talked but Sokratis chose to go to Arsenal.

“Arsenal had talked two years ago but I don’t know why he didn’t sign. He is going to a higher level, the world’s most competitive league and I believe he will do very well.

“Sokratis is in his last year at Dortmund. This was a major reason [for completing the move].

“He is happy, he is in England at the moment, and tomorrow [Tuesday] he will be doing what he has to do, the typical things, everything will go well, he is happy, he is changing.

“I think he is going to a higher level. the world’s most competitive and I believe there will go well.”

Jose Mourinho is expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer as he looks to try and build a squad capable of competing with Manchester City next season and a centre-back is on the agenda.

It seems Mourinho had earmarked Sokratis as a potential partner for Eric Bailly or Chris Smalling next season but United have missed out as the Greek star is set to seal his move to Arsenal over the next 48 hours.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

The Gunners need to strengthen their back four as they conceded 51 Premier League goals last season and Sokratis will help fill the void left by Per Mertesacker following his retirement while Laurent Koscielny is facing six months out through injury.