Arsenal TERMINATE Sokratis’ contract after defender failed to make a single appearance for Mikel Arteta’s side this season as Gunners opt to let him go for free now rather than in the summer
- Arsenal have agreed to terminate Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ contract
- The defender’s current deal was set to expire at the end of the season
- The 32-year-old has not started a game for the Gunners since March
- Mikel Arteta left the Greek international out of his squads this season
Arsenal have agreed to terminate the contract of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The 32-year-old, who has not started a game since March, failed to make Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season and has been frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.
His current deal was set to expire in the summer but the centre back has agreed to end his time with the club earlier than planned.
Arsenal have agreed to terminate the contract of Sokratis Papastathopoulos after he was left out of Mikel Arteta’s squads this season
A statement on the club’s website 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. The Greek international defender joined us from Borussia Dortmund in July 2018 and made 69 appearances for us. He was part of the Emirates FA Cup-winning squad in August and played 12 matches during our run to the Europa League final in 2019.’
Arsenal’s 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.
The 32-year-old has not played this season and last started a game for the club in March
‘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.’
The defender joined Arsenal in a £17million deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 and has made 69 appearances for the north London side.
His last appearance was as a last-minute substitute in the FA Cup final in August, which Arsenal won 2-1.
The termination of his contract means Sokratis is free to agree a deal with another club.
The Greek international has had interest from Genoa, who he played for from 2008 to 2010.
Sokratis is now free to join another club and has has had interest from Genoa and Fenerbache
Napoli and Fenerbache have also been linked with the centre back. A move to Fenerbache would see Sokratis link-up with former team-mate Mesut Ozil.
The former Germany international finally completed his move to the Turkish club on Monday after being frozen out by Arteta, who is trying to trim down his bloated squad.
Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have both been sent out on loan. Kolasinac has rejoined former club Schalke while Sailba will spend the rest of the season with Nice.
Saliba is yet to make his first-team debut after signing for the Gunners in the summer.
Ozil’s departure mean the club reduced their wage bill significantly. The 32-year-old was the Gunners’ highest earner on £350,000-per-week.
