ARSENAL have announced that Konstantinos Mavropanos has signed a new contract but will be loaned out again next season.
The 22-year-old defender, who has been at Bundesliga 2 side Nuremberg since January, will join Stuttgart this summer.
Arsenal defender Dinos Mavropanos has signed a new long-term contract Credit: Getty – Contributor
He made 12 appearances for the German second-division strugglers and became a key figure in saving them from relegation this season.
Stuttgart, who were linked with a move for Mavropanos earlier this year, will be playing in the Bundesliga next season after earning promotion.
It was the club’s director of football Sven Mislintat who took him to Arsenal from Greek side PAS Giannina in January 2018.
But since then, the Greece Under-21 international has played just seven Premier League games.
Stuttgart were also said to be keen on a move for Mavropanos’ club and international teammate Sokratis.
The 32-year-old could be allowed to move on after entering the final year of his contract and has experience in the Bundesliga having featured for Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund.
The Gunners have already secured David Luiz and Pablo Mari for next term.
Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding may also have some part to play.
But Mikel Arteta is still on the hunt for defensive reinforcements this summer to tighten the Gunners’ leaky backline.
Following Wednesday night’s 2-1 win against champions Liverpool, the Spaniard was asked whether he would be given the finances to improve his squad this summer.
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t know. It’s a big concern.
“You need it to build a squad. It’s not magic. You need to improve with quality players in the squad and you need bigger squads to compete in this competition. There’s the challenge.”
Mikel Arteta admits there is still a big gap between Arsenal and Liverpool
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
