Arsenal are preparing an offer for Bayern Munich's Medhi Benatia.

Foot Mercato and Get French Football News are both reporting that the Gunners are set to make a bid for the Moroccan defender who is expected to depart the Allianz Arena this summer.

Arsenal have been linked with Benatia for the past few weeks and it is understood that officials from the North London club have met with the 29-year-old's representatives.

Benatia joined Bayern from AS Roma in the summer of 2014 but has struggled in Munich and is likely to make way for Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels who is set to return to the Bundesliga giants.

Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for a new centre-back to provide competition for Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker and Benatia could be available at a cut-price having made just 29 league appearances over two seasons for Bayern.