Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi not in talks with ANY club, say Valencia… days after his agent is apparently in London to negotiate a deal with the Gunners
Pressure mounts on Arsene Wenger to sign a top defender but the Spanish giants claim Germany star is not on brink of exit
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ARSENAL’S defensive woes have taken another twist after Valencia denied they are in talks to sell main Gunners’ target Shkodran Mustafi.
The Germany centre-back’s agent was reportedly in London last week and close to an arrangement.
But Valencia insist they are not negotiating with ANY club for the ex-Everton and Sampdoria defender.
It is thought the Spanish giants told Arsenal the fee for Mustafi would only be around half the £40million needed to trigger his release clause.
But claimed the Gunners have so far failed to make a firm bid - even though Valencia owner Peter Lim is said to have flown in at one stage for talks with Arsenal representatives.
Emirates boss Arsene Wenger faced fierce opening-day criticism after a 4-3 home defeat against Liverpool exposed defensive problems that should hardly have been a surprise.
Long-term injuries to Gabriel and Per Mertesacker, plus Laurent Koscielny’s absence, meant starts in the centre of the backline for ex- Bolton starlet Rob Holding, 20, and Calum Chambers, 21, who was just a fringe player last season following his arrival from Southampton.
Wenger has often resisted repairing what have seemed the most obvious flaws to his transfer dealings in the 12 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League.
In the past this included failing to find a top-class keeper - and, arguably, it currently includes neglecting to sign a world-class out-and-out striker.
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And £30m Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka has been this summer’s only big-name arrival.
But Wenger’s persistent failure to sign proven central defenders has now become a pressing issue and was perhaps the main reason for so much discontent from Arsenal fans after Liverpool’s goal spree.
Signing - and soon – still seems possible, especially as Valencia need to balance the books after failing to qualify for European football this term.
Valencia sold midfielder Andre Gomes, 22, a European Championship winner with Portugal, to Barcelona.
And Mustafi is thought to be the likeliest star to follow him out.
The 24-year-old's 12 caps include Germany’s Euro 2016 opener against Ukraine.