By . Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail . Follow @@SamiMokbel81_DM . Arsenal were locked in talks with Borussia Dortmund trying to agree a fee for central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos. The German club want £20million for the Greece international, who can also play right-back and holding midfielder. Sportsmail first reported Arsenal's interest in the player today. VIDEO Scroll down Sokrates scores goal for Borussia Dortmund . Target: Arsene Wenger wants Sokratis Papastathopoulos to bolster Arsenal's squad . Replacement: Papastathopoulos (25) is being touted as a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who joined Barcelona earlier this month . The Gunners do not want to meet Dortmund's asking price and are trying to secure a reduced figure before pressing ahead with a swoop. But manager Arsene Wenger knows he needs defensive cover before Monday's transfer deadline and is keen to land Papastathopoulos, who is understood to be open to joining Arsenal.
Papastathopoulos is being linked with Arsenal as a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who has joined Barcelona . The Greek international is valued at £20million by Borussia Dortmund . But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is trying to cut a deal with the Germans . The defender has made 51 appearances for his country, scoring against Costa Rica in this summer's World Cup . Papastathopoulos joined Dormund last summer from Werder Bremen . The 26-year-old is understood to be keen on a move to the Premier League .