Arsenal are closing in on the £17.5million signing of Sokratis Papastathopoulos, according to reports.

The Borussia Dortmund defender is out of contract in 12 months' time and it is looking like the German club will cash in at the end of this season.

Bild report that Arsenal are edging closer to his signature, with thanks to their new head of recruitment.

Sven Mislintat is the man pushing for the deal and that he is in ‘close contact’ with the defender’s agent Konstantinos Farras.

Mislintat is reportedly looking to bring in three players this summer to improve the spine of the team, with a goalkeeper, centre-back and central midfielder his primary targets.