Waching daily Jun 1 2018

Arsenal transfer news: Stephan Lichtsteiner 'agrees contract' to become Gunners player

Lichtsteiner, out of contract at the end of the season, has been in negotiations with Arsenal over a Bosman move.

According to La Gazette dello Sport, the 34-year-old right-back has now struck an agreement on a one-year contract.

But the Italian publication report that he is yet to put pen to paper on the paperwork.

Lichtsteiner is set to become the first signing of the Unai Emery era at the Emirates Stadium.

The Switzerland international will compete with Hector Bellerin for a spot in the team.

He leaves Juventus after seven seasons and 259 appearances for the club.

Lichtsteiner will bring experience of winning major honours to Arsenal, having bagged seven Serie A titles during his time with the Old Lady.

Arsenal are also reportedly closing in on a £16m deal for 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

And former Gunner Kevin Campbell believes Lichtsteiner and Papastathopoulos will prove to be shrewd additions.

"They need experience and toughness," he said.

"Because that is everything that Arsenal have lacked.

"That experience and that toughness and being able to go away and grind out a victory at one of your rivals, Arsenal havent done that in years.

"So that type of experience and knowledge is key.".

Former Venezuela international and ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno is not convinced by the move for Lichtsteiner.

"I just don't see what you gain in having Lichtsteiner," he said.

"He's a guy who's getting up there in age.

"He might be trying to get out of Juventus simply because he's not getting the playing time that he would want at Juventus.

"Limited time at Juventus, getting older, I don't feel that Arsenal really gains much from getting Lichtsteiner.".