Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ father, Charalambos has claimed that his son snubbed a move to Manchester United and will join Arsenal instead.
The Borussia Dortmund defender is set to become Unai Emery’s first Gunners signing, after the club agreed a £16million deal.
Sokratis is expected to sign a three-year contract at the Emirates, with an option of a further year and he is due to have a medical on Tuesday.
He was also on the radar of United, who scouted him last season, with the Red Devils’ search for a new centre back to partner Eric Bailly at Old Trafford.
Charalambos told Greek radio station Radio 24/7: “There was interest from United but he had to wait until July for them.
“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 completing the move].
“He is happy, he is in England at the moment, and tomorrow [Tuesday] 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. the world’s most competitive and I believe there will go well.”
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