Arsenal seek summer signature of Subotic to bolster backline

Arsenal will look to boost their defensive options this summer with a bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, as Arsene Wenger aims to improve his lacklustre backline for next season.

The Gunners, 25/1 to reach this year’s Champions League final, have endured a relatively successful campaign so far, climbing to third place in the Premier League and recently toppling Manchester United to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

Despite their progression this term, Arsenal’s defence has come under the spotlight, with giant German centre back Per Mertesacker having had a mixed season, after helping his country lift the World Cup in Brazil last summer.

Wenger is reportedly planning for life after Mertesacker, with the club’s vice-captain now 31 years old, and continuously showing signs of decline over the course of this current campaign. Towering Serbian Subotic would potentially be a perfect replacement for the ageing World Cup winner, with his imposing defensive qualities.

The courageous Dortmund defender has played a key role in two Bundesliga title-triumphing teams, while also helping to guide Jurgen Klopp’s Black and Yellows to the 2013 Champions League final, only to be overcome by bitter rivals Bayern Munich.

Serbia international Subotic has also been a vital aspect of his side’s recent domestic revival, as Dortmund climb further towards a European position, despite having incredibly dropped into the German league relegation zone for a short period this year.

Another positive for the Bundesliga battlers, and potentially Arsenal, is that Subotic has also managed to remain fit for the majority of this season, following previous troublesome spells with injury.

The 26-year-old is a mammoth centre back figure, standing at an intimidating 6ft 3in, and could provide Premier League top four hopefuls Arsenal with some much-needed stability at the back, with French boss Wenger still not sure of his best defensive unit.