Arsenal transfer news: Dortmund director gives huge update on Papastathopoulos deal
ARSENAL’S deal for Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos isn’t finalised yet, the German club’s sporting director Michael Zorc claims.
GETTY
Reports claimed the Gunners have agreed a £16m deal with the Bundesliga giants for the Greece international.
The defender, who is out of contract next summer, is likely to pen a three-year deal at the Emirates.
Papastathopoulos, 30, worked with Arsenal's head of recruitment Sven Mislintat during his spell at Dortmund and the transfer chief is a big fan of the centre-half.
However, Dortmund chief Zorc says Papastathopoulos isn’t an Arsenal player just yet.
“It tends to go there, that's right. But things are not completely finalised yet,” Zorc told German outlet Revier Sport when asked if Papastathopoulos is heading to north London.
GETTY
Things are not completely finalised yet
“And I will not work with you now and talk about the rumour mill, which includes 27 new BVB players since the end of May.
“In the meantime, we are having fun ourselves and planning. We have clear ideas and I am very sure that we will put together a very good team.
“This will not necessarily be the case until the start of the season, because the coach wants to make an impression on the players who are under contract with us.”
The Gunners have already signed Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus, with the defender becoming Unai Emery’s first signing.
Emery has been vocal on Arsenal’s transfer plans, with the 46-year-old revealing he hopes to develop the current squad.
“I believe we can grow with the players we have,” he said.
“The objective is to work hard together and with these talented players.
“It’s very important for the club, after two years outside the Champions League, to work to be the best team in the Premier League and also in the world.”