According to German outlet WAZ, Manchester United could agree a deal with Borussia Dortmund for defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Red Devils are hoping to hijack Arsenal’s bid to sign the Greek international and could meet his £17.5m asking price, says the Manchester Evening News.
The 29-year-old joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen in 2013 and has gone on to make 198 appearances in all competitions. Sokratis has just 12 months on his contract and may be allowed to leave for the right price.
Arsenal are in need of a centre-back as Per Mertesacker is retiring and Laurent Koscielny has a chronic achilles injury, but United are in greater need of a defensive reinforcement.
Daley Blind is expected to leave this summer as he’s fallen down the pecking order, barely played under Jose Mourinho last season and has just one year remaining on his deal.
Marcos Rojo was also on the periphery for much of the previous campaign and could be cashed in on this summer. Victor Lindelof only joined last year but struggled for form and is a loan target for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
If United lose all three defenders, they’ll be somewhat short at the back and in need of some experience. Sokratis fits the bill perfectly.
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