Arsenal have moved into pole position for the signature of Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos this summer.
The 29-year-old defender has a contract offer on his table from Dortmund, but he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal and is considering his future ahead of the end of the season.
It has been claimed that Sokratis is prepared to pack his bags leave Dortmund in the summer and has a number of top line suitors waiting to get their hands on him.
Manchester United and Juventus have been linked with having an interest in the defender, but according to German magazine Kicker, Arsenal have edged ahead in the transfer race to land the Greek.
Former Dortmund chief scout Sven Mislintat is currently Arsenal’s head of recruitment and he is believed to have recommended the defender to the Gunners.
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BVB are also not against losing Sokratis and this summer could be their last opportunity to get a good fee from his sale should he decline to sign a new deal.
However, the final decision has not been taken at Arsenal as they want a new manager in place before pressing forward with their recruitment.
The 29-year-old is also considering all the offers closely as he is aware this could be his last big contract.
