Arsenal's move for Jerome Boateng has gathered momentum after the Gunners made "formal contact" with Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga champions want around £15m for the defender who they are open to selling following a downturn in form, according to reports in Germany.
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his defensive options in January having seen the north Londoners ship far too many goals.
The Spaniard saw the Gunners keep a clean sheet for the first time during their 2-0 win over Manchester United on New Year's Day.
But their problems are far from solved hence their interest in Boateng, who could be available on a free transfer if they pick up his weekly wages which are close to £200,000-a-week, reports Bild.
The World Cup winner has been an integral part of the Bavarian's success in the past, but is now behind the likes of Niklas Sule, Javi Martinez and David Alaba in the pecking order and allowed to seek pastures new according to Foot Mercato.
Arsenal's defensive options have been weakened further as Calum Chambers faces nine months on the sidelines having picked up an ACL injury.
It leaves Arteta with David Luiz and Sokratis Papastathopoulos as his two main alternatives in the centre of defence, but the pair have not been able to regularly keep Bernd Leno protected.
The Gunners have conceded 30 goals in 21 Premier League games thus far which has undermined their pre-season ambitions to finish in the top four.
Arteta has been tasked with returning the club to the Champions League, but will be afforded the time with Arsenal in need of a rebuild.
A move for Ajax star Hakim Ziyech has been touted with the Moroccan allowed to leave the Dutch capital if someone meets his £43m valuation.
But doubts persist over the futures of forward pair Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette who are allowing their contracts to wind down.
