Two highly-respected sources at Sky Sports have confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi has agreed to join Arsenal.
Marc Behrenbeck, who reports for Sky Sports News HD and Bryan Swanson, chief news reporter at Sky Sports News have both tweeted that the Germany international is ready to leave Valencia and has agreed terms with Arsene Wenger’s side.
@SkySportNewsHD Info: Mustafi Deal to @Arsenal nearly done. Player and Club agreed on contract. Final talks w @valenciacf to come.
— Marc Behrenbeck (@Sky_Marc) August 11, 2016
Latest on Shkodran Mustafi. @Sky_Marc reports he's agreed to join Arsenal. As yet no formal offer agreed between clubs. Talks continue. #AFC
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) August 11, 2016
No formal offer has yet been agreed, but the Times claim that Arsenal are close to a breakthrough with the fee set at a very reasonable £20m.
Mustafi’s agent has verified Sky Sports’ claim in an interview with Spox.
“Shkodran and Arsenal agree. There [is] only the teams [left to] agree on a transfer fee”, said Ali Bulut.
Mustafi’s agent confirms agreement with Arsenal https://t.co/etfjAMEngd pic.twitter.com/zkBUK7JG18
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 11, 2016
Granit Xhaka’s £30m arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach in late May has so far been the only high-profile signing for Arsenal this summer, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Takuma Asano and Rob Holding following Xhaka through the door at the Emirates.
However, it seems that Mustafi will soon be lining up alongside Laurent Koscielny in Arsenal’s defence in what is not only a wise move in terms of player quality but also a desperately needed one, with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista ruled out through injury.
In Mertesacker’s case, the big German will not reappear in an Arsenal kit until 2017, and with the centre-back fast approaching 32, a long-term replacement is required.
Options such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Kostas Manolas have been bandied about but it’s evident that the 24-year-old Mustafi is the prime candidate to fill Mertesacker’s shoes.
The German international only fueled speculation of the move last night, and now it looks to be a done deal.
Shkodran Mustafi has 'liked' Granit Xhaka's picture on Instagram.
Welcome to Arsenal pic.twitter.com/oJ8yUpPD5j
— ARSENAL (@tomgunner14) August 10, 2016
Callum Connolly, Pundit Arena.
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