Arsenal are on the verge of securing their first summer signing with a £17million move for the Borussia Dortmund and Greece defender Sokratis, reports say.
Sven Mislintat, Arsenal’s head of recruitment, has made defensive reinforcements his priority ahead of a summer which will be the first in the post-Arsene Wenger era.
The Gunners are yet to confirm Wenger’s successor at the Emirates – although Mikel Arteta has reportedly agreed a deal in principle to become the new manager – but club officials have wasted no time in drawing up a list of targets.
Sokratis, a player Mislintat knows from his time at Dortmund, has emerged as a top target and Arsenal are closing in on a deal for the defender, according to Bild.
It is claimed the 29-year-old Greek international is set to sign a two-year deal with the Gunners as Dortmund prepare to target Abdou Diallo as his replacement.
France U21 star Diallo has impressed for Bundesliga outfit Mainz this season and is attracting interest from a number of European clubs.
Arsenal’s defence has been criticised for a number of years and the club will be without Laurent Koscielny for at least a half of next season due to injury.
Sokratis, who has spent the last five years at Dortmund, will be out of contract next summer and talks over an extension broke down last month.
Bild say his move to the Emirates will cost Arsenal around £17m.
The Gunners have also been linked with a move for Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu, who is hoping to clinch a move to England this summer.
Speaking to Football London, the player’s agent, Mustafa Dogru, said: ‘The main objective of the player is to play in the Premier League, that I can tell you at the moment.
‘We are negotiating with some clubs, but I can’t give the name of the clubs – I’m sorry.
‘Next week we will have some meetings and I think in 10 or 15 days his situation will be clear. ‘They (Freiburg) are open to negotiations.’
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