Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi. The German defender’s agent confirmed that the player has negotiated a wage, with Valencia and the EPL club yet to agree on a fee for the centre-back, as the Gunners have yet to meet Los Che's €35 million valuation of Mustafi.
Speaking to Spox, the German defender's agent, Ali Bulut confirmed the move, saying “Shkodran and Arsenal have reached an agreement, the clubs now only have to agree on the fee.” However, the fee is set be a problem, as Mustafi reportedly has a £42 million release clause in the contract, but Valencia are willing to accept a £30 million fee, as they have to sell a player to balance their books.
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If Arsenal do move quickly and register Mustafi within 11:00 am British Standard Time on Friday, Mustafi will be eligible to play in Arsenal's opening fixture against Liverpool. The Gunners face a centre-back crisis as Per Mertesacker has been ruled out for five months, with Gabriel also injured for two months in the final pre-season game, not to mention that Laurent Koscielny earned an extended holiday for his Euro 2016 exploits with France.
Bringing in Mustafi would be a big relief for Arsenal fans, with the 23-year-old German defender highly rated in his homeland and in Spain. The defender has already played in England, as he had joined Everton's academy as a youngster, before moving to Sampdoria and later Valencia.
Arsenal's transfer dealings have accelerated in the last few days
Granit Xhaka's big-money signing before Euro 2016 seems an age ago, with Arsenal fans gradually getting frustrated that the Gunners have yet to make a major move after that, with Manchester United and Manchester City’s decisive moves in the transfer market presenting a start contrast to Arsene Wenger's moves.
Mustafi would be Arsenal's fifth signing of the summer, as Takuma Asano, Kelechi Nwakali, Rob Holding have already signed for the Gunners.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had hinted at a defensive reinforcement earlier, saying “I think that the squad is strong enough. We have picked up a couple of injures in defence. I am sure that the boss realises that and that they are working on that."
“Maybe we could add a defender because we have picked up some injuries, but apart from that our squad is good, we finished second last year and we are confident that we can take any team on in this league.”
