VfB Stuttgart sports chief Sven Mislintat has confirmed talks have opened with Arsenal about keeping Dino Mavropanos.

The Greece international defender is on a straight loan to June at VfB and has done enough to convince the Bundesliga club to seek a new deal.

“We're trying to get a loan," said the sports director, “buying is difficult in the current situation.

"Now it's a bit of a back and forth."

However, Mislintat emphasised that he is in good talks with his “ex-club". He spent two years with the Gunners as chief scout.