Arsenal are reportedly nearing the services of Schalke full-back Sead Kolasinac after having finalised a four-year contract over his Bosman move in the summer.
A recent report covered suggested that the 23-year-old had yet to make the decision between Arsenal and AC Milan ahead of his potential departure from the Veltins-Arena.
However, The Mail claims that the Gunners have won the race to sign the left-sided defender, who will put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal at the end of the season.
Kolasinac had been associated with the likes of Chelsea and Juventus during the winter period before Schalke decided to keep hold of the signature with the risk of losing him on a free.
The Bosnian footballer has since communicated with a host of clubs including Everton, but the Gunners have managed to lure him to the Emirates with the assurance that manager Arsene Wenger still stay at the helm next term.
Wenger has endured his worst managerial spell in the Gunners shirt to date, but in spite of this, he remains a favourite among the club’s hierarchy, who are prepared to offer him a two-year contract with a £200m kitty to spend on signings in the summer.
Kolasinac, who can also ply his trade at centre-back or holding midfield, has adapted well to the left wing-back role in Gelsenkirchen, and he could be the perfect fit for the Gunners’ new 3-4-2-1 setup with Nacho Monreal not entirely convincing in his position.
The 23-year-old’s arrival is likely to have an immediate effect on the future of backup Kieran Gibbs, who could be up for sale in the coming transfer window.
Gibbs has managed just three starts in the Premier League this season, and he faces an uncertain future with his Arsenal contract due to expire in just over a year’s time.
