Sokratis Papastathopoulos has snubbed a move to Manchester United in order to join Arsenal, according to his father.
Greece defender Sokratis, 29, is expected to sign a three-year contract on Tuesday after undergoing a medical after a deal was agreed between the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund.
“There was interest from United but he had to wait until July for them,” his dad Charalambos is quoted by the Mirror as saying.
“United have a very good relationship with Dortmund, the teams talked but Sokratis chose to go to Arsenal.
“Arsenal had talked two years ago but I don’t know why he didn’t sign.
“He is going to a higher level, the world’s most competitive league and I believe he will do very well.
“Sokratis is in his last year at Dortmund. This was a major reason [for the move].
“He is happy, he is in England at the moment, and tomorrow he will be doing what he has to do, the typical things, everything will go well, he is happy, he is changing.
“I think he is going to a higher level.”
Reports suggest the Gunners have agreed a £16million fee.
Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, who is out of contract this summer and therefore available on a Bosman free transfer, is also expected to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Sokratis, meanwhile, has been at Dortmund since being signed from Werder Bremen in 2013 and has made almost 200 appearances for them.
He has won 79 caps for his country, representing them at the 2012 European Championships and the 2014 World Cup.
Arsenal’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat knows him well, having joined the Gunners from Dortmund.