Key factor causes Arsenal defender to miss out on move away

Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos looks set to stay at the club this summer after interest in the 21-year-old faded, according to reports.

The Greek youngster was restricted to just four appearances for the Gunners last season, with injury reducing his opportunities. Consequently, he had been linked with a return to his native country, with AEK Athens and Panathanaikos weighing up moves.

His hometown club AEK were the most interested party, with plans to come to England to meet with Mavropanos being made.

However, Greek outlet SDNA (via SportWitness) report that those talks will not be advancing, and a deal is now off – because of the recurrence of the groin injury which kept the former PAS Giannina player out for most of last season.

Mavropanos – who cost Arsenal about £2m when he joined in January 2018 – is expected to be sidelined until the start of October, which has prompted AEK to abandon their pursuit of him.

The centre-back is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2023.

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