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Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is reportedly close to re-joining former club Genoa.

According to Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio on his official website the 32-year-old Gunners man may be about to seal his exit from the Emirates Stadium.

It is explained that Serie A Italian club Genoa are “confident” of signing the centre-back and are prepared to hand him a two-and a half-year deal.

The report adds that the 90-cap Greece international has said “yes” to a potential return to Genoa, even though he is waiting for a second offer from another potential suitor Fenerbahce.

Sokratis has been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s squad this season, being left out of both squads for the Premier League and Europa League.

He’s an experienced centre-back that is great in the air and a leader at the back, but he’s fallen so far down the pecking order at the North London club.

It looks like the centre-half could be about to end two-and-a-half years with Arsenal, but he would be leaving an FA Cup winner and on his day he’s a no-nonsense defender that impressed.

TBR’s View:

It makes perfect sense for Arsenal to offload Sokratis this month, as he’s surplus to requirements at the club and his contract expires at the end of the season.

He made his big Premier League transfer after an impressive five-year spell with Borussia Dortmund, but it looks like he’s returning to Italian football with former club Genoa.

A lack of pace has perhaps been one weakness in his game that has been exposed in the Premier League and Arsenal boss Arteta is currently trying to find the right balance in his defence, but he’ll be a positive addition for Genoa in their fight to try avoid relegation from Serie A.