Arsenal determined to sign Dortmund star ‘in secret’

Borussia Dortmund star Sokratis Papastathopoulos (R) in action. [Photo/Courtesy]

Arsenal fans have been left confused with the arrival of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos still not announced.

The Greek international is poised to follow Stephan Lichtsteiner to the Emirates as the Gunners revamp their squad ahead of Unai Emery's first season in charge.

="https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/arsenal-fc">Arsenal< have agreed a £16million deal with Borussia Dortmund for the 30-year-old and he is believed to have already undergone a medical in England ahead of the switch, ="https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-latest-transfer-news-sokratis-14768366">report football.london.<

Yet, still there has been no announcement from either club, leading some fans to question what is going on?

Well, the German media believe they have an explanation - and they also state that the wait for official confirmation of the transfer will not come for a few weeks yet.

="http://www.kicker.de/">Kicker< report that Dortmund do not want the transfer to go through until the next financial year, so nothing will be announced until July 1 at the earliest.

Arsenal will be in no rush, despite fans wanting to hear news, with the squad not due to report back for pre-season training until the week starting Monday, July 2.

With Greece not in action at the World Cup, that will mean Sokratis will be able to link up with his new teammates at the start of pre-season and will be able to take part in the trip to Singapore form the International Champions Cup.

Arsenal will take on Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain while in Singapore before returning to London.

Meanwhile, Robert Pires has hailed Arsenal’s signing of Lichtsteiner and laughed off concerns over the defender’s age.

The Switzerland right-back became the first new arrival of the Emery era when he joined on a free transfer from Juventus.

Lichtsteiner arrives having won seven league titles in a row in Serie A, but some supporters believe the 34-year-old is too old and that Arsenal should be targeting younger players.

Pires has brushed off those concerns, however, and is adamant that the defender will be a huge success at the Emirates.

“I met Stephan [at London Colney], said the Gunners legend. “I think this is a good player for Arsenal.

“Some people talk about the age, but I don’t care about age because if he’s ready and if he wants to help, I think he is a good solution for Arsenal and of course for Unai Emery.