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Arsenal eyeing swoop to sign Bundesliga defender

By on June 12, 2017

According to a report in the Express, Arsenal are eyeing a move to sign unsettled Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos this summer.

Arsene Wenger switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation during the closing stages of last season and is expected to stick with the new system next year so he’s being tipped to bring in another centre-back.

It looks like the boss is drawing up a list of potential targets as the Express are citing a report coming from Goal that claims Arsenal are eyeing a swoop for Papastathopoulos this summer.

The Greek international joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen in 2013 and has made over 150 appearances for the German giants but is yet to win a Bundesliga title due to Bayern Munich’s dominance.

The 29-year-old sparked speculation he could be looking for a move this summer after voicing his frustration at not winning a title and suggested that a move away from the Westfalenstadion could happen over the coming weeks.

Papastathopoulos is quoted as saying by the Express:

“I want to play until I’m 33 or 34 but I have not thought about whether this will be here or elsewhere. After the end of the season there is enough time to think about the future.

“There is something I have been missing. If you are young, you have a lot of time to get something, but I’m no longer young, I’ve got a lot of time for myself – and I really want to win a title.

“However, it is too early to talk about the new season. In the summer, so much can happen, players go, players come.”

It appears these comments have alerted Arsenal but the report says we could face competition from Chelsea as the Premier League champions have also shown a keen interest in signing the defender.

We haven’t made any formal move to sign Papastathopoulos and Dortmund are under no pressure to sell just yet as the player is still under contract until 2019.

I personally think any plans to sign a new centre-back this summer will depend on what happens with Calum Chambers as his future needs to be resolved after impressing during his loan at Middlesbrough last yet.

READ: £40m attacker speaks out on Wenger’s interest

If Wenger gives Chambers another chance at Arsenal then I don’t see how we have room for another centre-back unless one of Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gabriel or Holding is sold.