Schalke 04 defender Sead Kolasinac is reported to have travelled to London to sign a long-term deal with Arsenal just hours after it was confirmed that the Gunners had beaten their rivals to his services.
The 23-year-old is understood to have received multiple offers to leave the Bundesliga with his Schalke contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Both AC Milan and Everton had been in advanced negotiations with the player over a potential contract, but the Gunners have now managed to land the Bosnia international after having offered a significant increase on his £35,000-a-week wages.
Transfer experts Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio took turns to reveal the agreement via Twitter following a series of events which saw the north London club wrap up the player’s signature.
Today @seadk6 signed for @Arsenal on a free transfert @SkySport @SkySportNewsHD @SkySportsNewsHQ #kolasinac
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) April 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/852974897156501509
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/852976601038020610
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/852978271780311041
Kolasinac has contributed three goals and five assists in the Bundesliga in addition to his 11 clean sheets at the back this term. He could be seen a potential replacement for Kieran Gibbs, who is approaching the final year of his Gunners contract.
Meanwhile, first-choice left back Nacho Monreal could also have doubts over his long-term Gunners future with Basque club Athletic Bilbao on the trail of his signature in the past few seasons.
Arsenal have endured one of their worst spells under the Arsene Wenger reign this season, but the Frenchman is likely to remain at the helm next term with Kolasinac having received assurances over the 67-year-old’s stay beyond the summer.
