Arsenal are ready to meet Borussia Dortmund’s £16 million asking price for Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Independent reports that the Gunners are closing in on a deal as they prepare an improved bid for the defender.
Arsenal had tried their luck with a £13 million bid, but the Bundesliga side are standing firm in their valuation of the player.
The report claims that a deal will be completed this week as Unai Emery’s Arsenal begins to take shape.
With the player out of contract with Dortmund next summer, he is keen to move on and join up with the Sven Mislintat, who he knows well from his time in Germany, at the Emirates.
Mislintat is playing an increased role in how the squad will look next season following Arsene Wenger’s departure.
Sokratis’ arrival is thought to be the start of a defensive shake-up at the Emirates, in what looks set to be a busy summer for the Gunners.
