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Arsenal have begun talks with Valencia and Shkodran Mustafi over a summer transfer, Sky Sports reports.

The Gunners are on the lookout for centre-backs to stand in Per Mertesacker, who is pencilled in to spend at least five months on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Lens. Many names, including Semih Kaya and Kalidou Koulibaly, have been murmured.

However, Arsenal have now identified the Valencia defender as a potential target as they have entered negotiations with the involved parties. Sky Germany alleges that the 2015 Community Shield winners have not launched a formal bid though they intend to lure him to Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger likes a bargain. The German international has a release clause of £42.1m; however, Valencia’s readiness to accept any offer in the region of £25.3 – plus £8.4m in add-ons — is certain to make Mustafi an interesting option for Arsenal.

Valencia only recently offered him to AC Milan in a desperate attempt to balance the books only to be turned down by the Italians. Arsenal’s need for a centre-back and Valencia’s desperation may combine to make Mustafi Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer, after Granit Xhaka, Takuma Asano, and Rob Holding.

Wenger claimed recently that Arsenal were looking to sign bring in an experienced defender, and despite being aged only 24, Mustafi boasts considerable experience to make him an ideal target. He has already racked up 60 Primera Division and 50 Serie A appearances. Besides, he has 12 Germany caps and one World Cup winners’ medal to his name.



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Comments  

#6 pastor chami 2016-08-09 05:48
We don't have to despair. For the challenges Wenger faced last year, hopefully Arsenal management and in particular Arsene Wenger, a need of a strong striker and a strong defensive player is must. Otherwise he will be in for it next term. It is not must to clinch a triumph but Arsenal should be a real competitor in EPL instead of being a merely participant. We are fade of that. In 2015/ 2016 was our turn to EPL champions but Wenger and his management let us down. For sure this year they won't dare to let us down. We need prompt changes this year.
#5 Thomas McLean 2016-08-06 20:34
i'd hardly call 25 million a snip!!
#4 curtis kayman 2016-08-04 13:51
very disturbing and irritating indeed. every time its arsenal with challenges in signing quality players and giving away the league to an under dogs really pains.
wenger should think about us fans also not just his pocket
+3 #3 Hector ofuobi 2016-07-30 08:13
I'm hell tired of speaking about arsenal and their system of transfer every year now i choose to keep quite until i see any person dorning the gooners jersey then i will believe they have sign except that there is nothing anymore to believe in terms of arsenal and their stingy buying policy thanks.
+1 #2 dcindc 2016-07-29 23:41
Agree with Mike Dunne. Wenger has to dragged to the transfer "table" kicking and screaming. Maybe this time he'll get on with it and get it done. He sure as hell needs to, as he then needs to immediately turn to the task of obtaining a quality striker.
+1 #1 Mike Dunne 2016-07-29 22:54
This may well happen and it will be good for Arsenal. Wenger has had his arm twisted with the injury to Per so he needs to buy and this is good value. So Asenal may put their hands in their pockets. Otherwise they won't spend any money! Arsenal appear too tight with their money!