Mustafi is one of the key targets for Wenger in this summer transfer window but Arsenal believes the German’s price tag should be around £20 million ($26 million).
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Recent reports have claimed that the 24-year-old agreed personal terms with the North Londoners and that he will be officially announced later on this week. Both have been ruled out for Arsenal’s clash with Leicester this weekend.
The defensive predicament with injuries had left manager Arsène Wenger with a problem over his selection for Sunday’s Premier League fixture, home to Liverpool – with Calum Chambers most likely to partner Nacho Monreal, and Kieran Gibbs at left-back. The Gunners ended up conceding four goals at home and losing to Liverpool.
Simon Kjaer made 12 Europa League appearances last season.
Ali Bulut also stressed: “This is the only important thing for now. This is a matter concerning only Valencia and my son”. The French tactician is now facing a crisis in defence following an injury to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel.
Valencia have been holding out for closer to £30million for Mustafi but negotiations are still ongoing and the Gunners’ hand appears to have been weakened after their director of football admitted they are struggling to meet Financial Fair Play.
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The German global is understood to be keen on a move to the Emirates but with the Spanish side eager to rinse the Gunners for as much cash as possible, Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis are exploring the possibility of moves for Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak and Fenerbahce’s Simon Kjaer.
