At the time of writing this article, Mesut Ozil is on the brink of an exit from Arsenal and according to the latest updates, his teammate Sokratis is set to follow him out.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Genoa and Fenerbahce are the two clubs keen to sign the Greek central defender and the transfer is expected to go through by the end of this month.
Romano wrote on Twitter: “Sokratis Papastathopoulos will decide soon his next destination, Genoa and Fenerbahçe have asked for the Greek centre back. Both clubs are pushing to sign him – he’s leaving Arsenal in the next weeks.”
Sokratis Papastathopoulos will decide soon his next destination, Genoa and Fenerbahçe have asked for the Greek centre back. Both clubs are pushing to sign him – he’s leaving Arsenal in the next weeks. 🇬🇷 #AFC #transfers @SkySport https://t.co/hziEmFylKH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2021
First Ozil and now Sokratis moving out is a clear sign that manager Mikel Arteta and Edu are eager to clear out as much deadwood as possible during the January transfer window.
Sokratis joined Arsenal from Dortmund in 2018 but this season he has played in one only game for the Gunners which came in the second round of the EFL Cup against Wimbledon back in August.
The central defender’s current contract with the Gunners expires in the summer of 2021 so Arsenal have made a smart choice by squeezing out some transfer fee from his sale.
Ozil and Sokratis aren’t the only players who are expected to move out of the Emirates this month as reports claim Arteta is pondering over a loan deal for William Saliba as well.
Even if both Saliba and Sokratis leave this month then also Arsenal will have plenty of options in central defence. So no need to worry.