Arsenal express interest in Bundesliga defender

Arsenal are reported to have expressed an interest in signing Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis at the end of the season. The Greece international has just 14 months left on his existing deal, and Dortmund are expected to sanction his sale during the summer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Gunners are prepared to offer direct competition to Juventus for Sokratis, who is regarded as one of the most consistent defenders in the Bundesliga.

The Greek has made nearly 200 appearances for Dortmund since arriving under former boss Jurgen Klopp in 2013, but he is now supposedly eyeing a fresh challenge in order to enhance his chances of winning more trophies.

Aside from the Gunners, Sokratis is also of interest to Premier League rivals Manchester United, whose manager Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be planning an overhaul of his backline.

Sokratis is currently rated at around £25m at Dortmund, and his reduced transfer valuation could yet attract interest from other elite sides from across Europe.