ARSENAL are braced for a double transfer swoop from Schalke for Sead Kolasinac and Emiliano Martinez, according to reports.
The German side are keen on the Gunners defender and impressive stand-in goalkeeper.
Kolasinac, 27, has already been strongly linked with his former side after falling behind Kieran Tierney in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
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And with the club nearing a deal for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes, first-team opportunities may be limited.
Sky Sports Germany report on Kolasinac’s “private reasons” for wanting to return to Schalke.
The exact nature of the defender’s unhappiness in England is unknown but it is noted that he feels at home with the Bundesliga club.
Kolasinac also came through their academy and has many friends in the region.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old endured a horrific episode last summer when he and Arsenal pal Mesut Ozil were attacked by knife-wielding thugs in London.
Now sportbuzzer.de say Schalke’s sporting director Jochen Schneider has met with left-back Kolasinac three times.
And talks between Arsenal and Schalke for a season-long deal with an option to buy permanently at the end are said to be in “full swing”.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports say Schalke want Martinez having lost youngster Alexander Nubel to Bayern Munich on a free.
Martinez has been a brilliant stand-in for Bernd Leno between the sticks.
The 27-year-old kept nine clean sheets in 23 games last season after the Premier League restart.
And he was in goal for Arsenal’s Community Shield win on penalties over Liverpool last weekend.
Leeds also want Martinez, who is believed to be a target for as many as TEN clubs.
