Arsenal Boss Confirms He’s In Talks Over Deal To Sign £30m Liverpool Target

The summer transfer window is drawing to a close so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal close in on a deal for Shkodran Mustafi…

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are in negotiations with Valencia over Shkodran Mustafi and are hopeful of securing a deal to sign the £30m-rated Liverpool target, according to Sky Sports News.

Arsenal are desperately trying to bring in another centre-back before the close of the transfer window after seeing Gabriel join Per Mertesacker on the sidelines with the Brazilian international ruled out for eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Mustafi has emerged as Wenger’s prime target in recent weeks with Sky Sports claiming that the German international has agreed personal terms over the move to north London and Arsenal are now just trying to thrash out a deal with Valencia.

The news outlet suggests that the La Liga club are demanding £30m for Mustafi’s signature but Arsenal are hoping to negotiate a lower fee due to the fact the Spaniards need to sell in order to meet Financial Fair Play guidelines.

Wenger has now publicly admitted for the first time that the Gunners are in talks with Valencia over a deal to sign Mustafi with the Arsenal boss saying he hopes to get the transfer agreed soon.

The Frenchman is quoted as saying by Sky Sports:

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

Wenger hit back at his critics following Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Leicester after being quizzed by reporters about his lack of activity in the market this summer but it looks as though the 66-year-old is now ready to open the chequebook to sign Mustafi.

The 24-year-old has developed in to one of the best defenders in Spanish football over the past two seasons and is a full German international with a bright future ahead of him, so he’d be a superb signing for the Gunners.

However, they may want to get a deal agreed quickly as the Mirror reported yesterday that Liverpool have also entered negotiations with Valencia and are trying to hijack Arsenal’s proposed deal for the centre-back.

Jurgen Klopp has seen a spate of injuries hit his defence with Mamadou Sakho, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all currently on the sidelines and it’s led to the Merseysiders shipping five goals in their opening two Premier League games this season.

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Mustafi would give the German coach another experienced option at the back if they were able to gazump Arsenal, but as it stands it looks as though the north Londoners remain in pole position to secure a deal with Valencia.