Valencia Give Arsenal 'Green Light' To Close £26m Deal For Shkodran Mustafi

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Arsenal could finally be set to complete a deal for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi after the Spanish club told the player he could leave for the right offer, according to various reports.

The German centre back has been on Arsenal’s radar for most of the summer transfer window, though progress on the deal has been slow and frustrating to the club’s supporters. Previous reports claimed the two clubs were a distance apart in their respective valuations, but it’s now claimed by Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol that they can strike a deal for £26m.

The Express claim that the player met club officials on Wednesday, and stated that the player could leave the club if the right offer came in.

Arsene Wenger told French TV station SFR Sport recently that he was looking to sign Mustafi, saying:

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

However, he has on numerous occasions this summer insisted that he will not be held to ransom for any player in the transfer market, adding in another recent interview:

“I believe it’s better if I don’t talk about individual players, but we are ready to spend the money we have. It is very difficult to identify people and you have many examples of people in England who spend huge money on central defenders and not made it.”

“It’s important to spend money the right way – it’s not my money.”