Arsenal are reportedly poised to table a £32m bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
The Gunners are light on centre-back options after failing to replace Thomas Vermaelen, who joined Barcelona in August.
Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have partnered each other in the heart of Arsenal's defence since the 2012-13 campaign.
However, manager Arsene Wenger is said to be keen on providing stronger competition for the duo and, according to The Express, the Frenchman is weighing up a big-money bid for the Germany international.
Hummels, 25, is contracted to the Bundesliga giants until 2017, but reports in Germany have suggested that Dortmund are keen to extend that deal to stave off interest.