Since Gabriel Paulista’s injury, Arsenal have accelerated their pursuit of a centreback. One of the players heavily linked with Arsenal, is German international defender, Shkodran Mustafi.
Earlier reports had speculated that Arsenal had agreed terms with Mustafi, leaving only the transfer fee to be agreed with Valencia. The Mirror now reports, however that Arsenal and Valencia have hit a snag in their negotiations.
The Mirror reports that Arsenal are only willing to pay £20 million for the defender, while Valencia want upwards of £25 million.
The two clubs are still in negotiations, with Valencia’s director of football, Jesús García Pitarch in London to try to push the deal through. Valencia do not want to lose both of their centrebacks, with Aymen Abdennour attracting interest from Everton, thus Mustafi will not come cheap.
Moreover, as Arsenal aficionado, David Ornstein confirmed, the agents fee is also a problem for Arsenal, even though Mustafi is keen to join the club.
Twitter: Price the issue. Arsenal want to hold back funds for possible striker signing. #AFC transfer budget factors in fee, salary, agent commission (@bbcsport_david)
Arsenal need both a striker and defender, considering the result at the weekend, now may not be the time to haggle over prices.
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