Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia

By Michael Kelleher

Image: Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia applauds fans

Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and are ready to pay a fee which could rise to £35m to get him, according to Sky sources.

The Gunners have been chasing the Germany international for weeks and have now increased their offer in the hope of getting a deal completed before the transfer deadline closes on August 31.

Sky sources reported earlier this month that Mustafi had agreed to the move, but the two clubs were unable to agree on the transfer fee.

Arsenal agree deal for Perez

Arsenal agree deal to sign Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez

Mustafi, 24, was on Everton's books as a youngster and played for Sampdoria before joining Valencia in August 2014.

Arsene Wenger has been forced to defend his transfer policy after his side failed to win either of their opening Premier League games against Liverpool and Leicester.

Advertisement

What do Arsenal need?

Arsene Wenger is under pressure to spend. Who should he buy?

The Frenchman reassured frustrated fans that Arsenal were looking at a "number of players", adding negotiations were "ongoing" on Mustafi.

Also See:

Despite signing 20-year-old Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal are perilously thin at centre-half with club captain Per Mertesacker sidelined until the New Year and Brazilian Gabriel Paulista ruled out for six weeks.

Sky Sports' Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague talks about the new defenders who have been linked with Arsenal in this transfer window
Outbrain