Shkodran Mustafi will undergo his Arsenal medical on Monday in the event of Arsenal agreeing on a fee of about £25.9million on Friday, La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Emanuele Giulianelli reports.

The German international missed training because of a muscle strain, which is seen as a hindrance to the deal. However, Arsenal are ready to launch a formal bid if the injury proves a minor concern.

The Italian journalist tweeted: “Arsenal: looks like Mustafi will be agreed tomorrow. Club were waiting to see if the injury would heal as expected. Looks to be €30m (£25.9m). Mustafi medicals with Arsenal expected to be on Monday.”

Injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista have forced the Gunners to scout centre-backs. With the Calum Chambers-Rob Holding partnership proving too green to start Premier League games, as evidenced by the soul-crushing Liverpool defeat, they are now determined to bring in a defender before the transfer window slams shut.

Arsene Wenger reiterated in the Leicester City pre-match press conference that he would not mind spending big on a quality player. Given the fact that only a few players are available in the market right now, Mustafi is the best centre-back Arsenal can sign this summer.

Arsenal have also been linked with numerous other centre-backs, including Jose Fonte (Southampton), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Marcel Tisserand (Monaco), Simon Kjaer (Fenerbahce), and Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion).

Although Arsenal are certain to bring down a defender before August 31, whether he will be a potential squad player in the mould of Evans or a long-term solution like Mustafi remains to be seen.