Dortmund sporting director Zorc confirms defender Sokratis is likely to join Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed that Sokratis Papastathopoulos is closing in on a move to Arsenal.

The centre-back has been heavily linked with a switch to the Gunners, where new head coach Unai Emery is busy assembling his squad ahead of his first campaign in charge.

Zorc admits that Sokratis could leave but stressed that the deal isn't yet done.

Zorc told Revier Sport: 'It tends to go there [the deal] that's right. But 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.'

Arsenal have made two signings so far, bringing in right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner or a free transfer from Juventus, while goalkeeper Bernd Leno has arrived from Bayer Leverkusen.

There have been some significant departures too, with Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla officially leaving the club at the end of this month when their contracts expire.

Arsenal had major issues at centre-back last season as Shkodran Mustafi made many mistakes, while Laurent Koscielny showed signs of decline as he enters the latter stages of his career.

Koscielny will miss the start of the season owing to a ruptured Achilles and Emery is eager to bolster his central-defensive resources.

Although Arsenal have several young centre-backs at their disposal in Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos, some experience is required and Sokratis, at the age of 30, fits the bill.

Arsenal's head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, who previously worked for Dortmund, is hugely familiar with Sokratis and is eager to conclude a deal for the Greece international.

There could well be further arrivals at Arsenal this summer, with the club having also been strongly linked with Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira, who is currently representing Uruguay at the World Cup.