Arsenal close to sealing first summer signing

Arsenal are reportedly on the cusp of securing the services of Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund this summer. The Gunners are expected to pay a fee of around £16m to acquire the centre-back's signature.

According to BBC Sport, the club have agreed upon a transfer sum for the experienced defender and the Greek is likely to become the club's first signing of the summer transfer window.

Since the close of the previous campaign, the north London club have maintained this focus on bolstering their backline and their ambition has only intensified with Laurent Koscielny out for the long-term with an Achilles injury.

Aside from Sokratis, the Gunners are also looking to add more experience in the ranks in the form of Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus and the Swiss could join the club on a free transfer when his Bianconeri contract expires next month.

Papastathopoulos has been with BvB for the past five seasons and during this period, he has managed over 125 appearances in the Bundesliga. The Greek is expected to leave Dortmund this summer after declining to extend his deal beyond the summer of 2019.