Arsenal are closing in on the first two signings of Unai Emery’s time at the club with the Gunners hoping to wrap up the deals this week.
It’s an important few weeks at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery heading his first summers as the club’s boss.
With the World Cup and a shortened transfer window, the Gunners will have just a few months to complete some much-needed business.
Things appear to have gotten off to a good start with reports that Arsenal are closing in on their first two signings of the summer.
One of them is long-term target Sokratis Papastathopoulos who is expected to join from Borussia Dortmund.
As per @JackPittBrooke Arsenal close to signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Dortmund. Latest acquisition led by Sven Mislintat, continues drive to rebuild defence/squad with experience/leadership. #AFC prioritising ready players & will integrate youth (eg Mavropanos) over time
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) May 28, 2018
The 29-year-old centre-back has made almost 200 appearances for the Bundesliga side since joining from Werder Bremen back in 2013.
His current deal at the Westfalenstadion is set to expire at the end of the season with reports of a £16 million deal being negotiated between the two clubs.
Also closing in on an Arsenal move is the 34-year-old full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The Swiss international is set to leave Juventus after seven successful seasons at the Italian side.
Monaco and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested in the player but reports suggest that Arsenal have agreed on a deal in principle to sign the player on a free transfer.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichsteiner are far from the most glamorous signings the club could make but they are both necessary ones. The pair are vastly experienced and play in positions which the club is in desperate need of reinforcement. Hopefully, the duo can come in and work closely with younger players like Hector Bellerin, Konstantinos Mavrapanos and Rob Holding to aid their development.