Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly lining up a bid for Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes.
The experienced centre-back was part of the Germany side that won the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
The 26-year-old has also long been regarded as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, making any deal difficult for the Gunners.
However, according to The Telegraph, Wenger will press ahead with a move this week.
Howedes has been with Schalke since 2001, making his first-team debut in 2007.
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| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 31 | 13 | 18 | 36 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 19 | 18 | 34 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 30 |
| 4 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 28 |
| 5 | Manchester CityMan City | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 27 |
| 6 | Bournemouth | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 25 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 25 | -1 | 25 |
| 8 | Fulham | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 24 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 26 | 25 | 1 | 24 |
| 10 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 36 | 19 | 17 | 23 |
| 11 | Brentford | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 32 | 30 | 2 | 23 |
| 12 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 23 |
| 13 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 22 |
| 14 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 19 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 21 | -4 | 16 |
| 16 | Everton | 15 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 15 |
| 17 | Leicester CityLeicester | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 14 |
| 18 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 16 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 40 | -16 | 9 |
| 20 | Southampton | 16 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 36 | -25 | 5 |
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