Arsenal must fork out €18m if they want to snap up Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who wants the move to happen.
The 29-year-old defender has turned down offers to extend his contract at the Ruhr giants and Dortmund are now open to selling him rather than seeing him walk away on a free transfer next year.
Arsenal are keen to take Sokratis to the Emirates Stadium, but look likely to have to improve their offer for him.
While the Gunners are claimed to be willing to pay €15m for the Greek, according to German magazine Kicker, Dortmund are holding out for €18m.
The Bundesliga side are familiar with negotiating with Arsenal, having sold striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Gunners in the January transfer window earlier this year.
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In Arsenal's favour is that Sokratis has decided he wants to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.
Sokratis would become new Arsenal head coach Unai Emery's first signing if the transfer happens quickly.
