Sky Sports – Wenger confirms Arsenal in talk with highly-rated ace – fans will like this

We have just a few more days before the summer transfer window closes, and manager Arsene Wenger is still said to be on the hunt for a centre back capable of replacing both German international defender Per Mertesacker and our Brazilian Gabriel, both sidelined, long term, pre-season.

Wenger has tried to release some of the pressure he’s finding himself under, by unusually admitting he’s interested in a player; German international defender Shkodran Mustafi, claiming we are talks with Valencia over a possible transfer.

Despite rumours to the opposite effect, that Mustafi is to stay at Valencia, Sky Sports News are reporting that the German international defender has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal and a move will be completed as soon as a price is agreed between the two clubs.

The report claims the La Liga giants are demanding upwards of £30m in the hope they can balance the books and meet their impending FFP guidelines, but it seems like Arsenal are happy to play hardball, which is why the deal is taking so long.

Arsenal fans out there including me have been waiting for a word from Wenger, and the Frenchman finally broke his silence about a possible transfer, and said:

“Mustafi? We hope it will be done. He is one of a number of players we are looking at. Negotiations are ongoing…”

It will be great seeing Mustafi at the Emirates, as we are in desperate need for a consistent, long-term partner for Laurent Koscielny, we need more cover at the back, and new players with winning mentality from the off.

If the deal is or isn’t over the line by the weekend, let’s hope for no more injuries, our final Euro 16 players returning properly and all three points on the road this weekend away at Watford to make up for our frankly, disastrous start to this season.

Article Published: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7:38 PM