ARSENAL have parted ways with Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos by mutual consent.
The 32-year-old hasn’t featured for the Gunners’ first team this season.
Arsenal have parted ways with outcast Sokratis PapastathopoulosCredit: Getty Images
And the defender’s stay at the Emirates is now over with the club continuing their January clearout.
That means he will be a free agent and can join another team immediately.
An Arsenal statement read: “Working closely with Sokratis and his team, we have decided to cancel his contract by mutual consent.
“This gives Papa the freedom to negotiate a contract with a new club and return to action as soon as possible.”
Gunners technical director Edu said: “On behalf of Mikel, our coaches, players and everyone at the club, I would like to thank Papa for his contribution to the club.
“He has been an important part of our group and has been a model professional throughout. The negotiations to end his contract have been collaborative and we wish Papa and his family well for the future.”
Olympiakos, Genoa and Fenerbahce are among the teams to have shown interest in signing him this month.
The Gunners man, 32, was left out of Mikel Arteta’s squads this season and has not made a senior appearance since the FA Cup final.
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Sokratis joined the Emirates club in a £17million deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 but he has struggled to live up to his price-tag.
Napoli were also reportedly interested but it is thought the 90-cap international would prefer a lucrative move elsewhere.
Arteta is keen to clear out as much of the deadwood at the club as possible while the transfer window is open.
Mesut Ozil took a massive pay cut to join Fenerbahce earlier this window.
Sead Kolasinac rejoined Schalke on loan, three-and-a-half years after joining from the Bundesliga outfit.
The Bosnian made just one Premier League appearance this season before being shipped out.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
