Arsenal’s search for an experienced (enough) defender seems to finally be reaching its conclusion, after Shkodran Mustafi was left out of the Valencia squad.
It’s the latest detail in a string of reports linking the Gunners with a move for the German international, and now it looks as if Arsene Wenger’s high level pursuit is nearing completion.
The news comes after David Ornstein, who only speaks when something is nearing completion, told us Mustafi is close to becoming an Arsenal player with the club desperate to get a deal over the line.
When coupled with the fact that Mustafi will miss tonight’s friendly game with Nigeria All Stars, all signs point to the centre back agreeing the deal within the next couple of days.
Shkodran Mustafi has been left out of Valencia’s squad for tonight’s friendly against Nigeria All Stars
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 10, 2016
Arsenal negotiations to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi are ongoing. Will cost about £30m
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 10, 2016
Whilst negotiations continue get ironed out, it looks as if Wenger has had to concede to paying the full asking price of £30million following the latest injury crisis.
With Gabriel, Mertesacker and Kosicelny unable to play at the weekend, the race has been on to find a capable player of filling the gap and leading that defence to some stability over the next few weeks.
Valencia need the money and are already eyeing up Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala as a possible replacement after Pep Guardiola put the blues flop on the transfer list.
With the Mustafi deal likely to go through before Arsenal’s opening game on Sunday afternoon, reports are still with us that Arsenal remain interested in Jonny Evans.
He might not be the glamorous signing that we were all hoping for but his experience in the Premier League is second to none and we can expect that interest to continue until the end of the month.
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