Arsenal close to signing Bundesliga defender?

Arsenal are reportedly close to reaching a summer agreement for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

The north London rivals have been in a direct fight with Manchester United for the player's services of late but they now seem to have jumped ahead in the defender's pursuit.

According to Bild, Gunners head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is pushing through the move between the clubs and has already held talks with the player's agent in Konstantinos Farras.

Aside from a defender, the north London outfit are also planning to recruit a new goalkeeper and central midfielder as they prepare themselves for a new era after Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League standings and they appear unlikely to improve on their position amid their away woes since the turn of the year.

The Capital outfit have not picked up a single point on their travels in 2018 and this is the worst record of any side participating in the Football League this term.