Arsenal are set to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with the German club already searching for a successor, according to reports in the country.

Bild report that the Greek defender is likely to make the switch for €20m, on a two year deal.

The length of contract might seem a bit surprising, given recent signings like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang getting a three-and-a-half year contract, or Alexandre Lacazette getting a five year deal. The difference is that Sokratis will be 30 this summer.

Arsenal have rarely offered long contracts to players older than 30 in the past, and that’s seemingly not going to change now.

Dortmund are apparently so sure the move will happen that they’re already searching for a successor. They have their eyes set on Mainz defender Abdou Diallo, and are planning a €25m bid. It’s starting to look more and more likely Arsenal will sign their third ex-Dortmund player of the year in the coming weeks.

Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is clearly having a big influence on the club’s transfers. He worked at the Bundesliga club previously, and played a large part in building their recent teams. It makes sense that if he thought a player was good enough then, he’d probably still think the same now.

We should find if Sokratis will become the first signing of the post-Wenger era soon.