Report: Fenerbahce close to agreeing Sokratis deal, wants Arsenal to cancel contract

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Uncompromising defender Sokratis is close to agreeing to sign for Fenerbahce from Arsenal, according to Turkish news outlet Fanatik.

The report claims that the centre-back will now meet with Arsenal to discuss the termination of his contract.

Sokratis has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium and has failed to make a first-team appearance this season.

He checked in from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 and has made 69 appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals.

With Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, David Luiz, Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi all at Arsenal, his chances of first-team football are non-existent.

With that in mind, a move away from the club seems like the only option this month.

Sokratis is under contract until the summer so agreeing to exit his £92,000-a-week deal shouldn’t be too tough to negotiate.

Fenerbahce aren’t the only club interested in his services though. The competition will be fierce from Genoa and Napoli before the window closes later this month.

A move to Turkey could see him link-up with Mesut Ozil who has also been linked with the Istanbul-based club this month.

TBR View: Arsenal should agree to contract termination

The transfer business done in the summer by the Gunners was pretty good.

It’s fair to say, however, they need to start being equally savvy when it comes to outgoing deals.

With that in mind, if a deal can be struck to terminate Sokratis’ contract, then it’s something they should look to do.

Arsenal still have work to do when it comes to clearing the decks of players who are surplus – and Sokratis fits that bill.

The Gunners will probably look to do some incoming business this month but they could be judged by supporters on who they manage to get out.

Offloading Sokratis would be a firm step in the right direction.