Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund centre back Sokratis Papastathopoulos this summer, despite being overstocked in defenders.

  • Sokratis could leave Dortmund in search of trophies
  • Arsenal and Chelsea have registered an interest

According to Goal, Arsenal and Chelsea are hoping to sign Sokratis this summer.

The Greek centre back has said that time is running out for him to win a major title, and this could mean a move away from Dortmund.

“If you’re young, you have a lot of time to win things,” he said. “But I’m not young any more, time is getting shorter and I really want to win a title.”

Dortmund won the DFB-Pokal last season but finished 18 points behind Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich and required a win on the final day to secure Champions League qualification.

It’s still one step further than Arsenal got last season as they won the FA Cup, finished 18 points behind Champions Chelsea and failed to secure Champions League qualification on the final day.

As a result, it’s unclear why Sokratis would see Arsenal as the ideal destiantion to win major honours but a season of off-field disruptions at board level may have also been a factor given manager Thomas Tuchel left this summer too.

Sokratis, while linked with Arsenal in the past, is a new name on the wishlist this summer. But with Sead Kolasinac already signed, it’s unlikely Arsenal will be looking for more defensive recruits unless there’s a departure or a serious injury.