The Premier League officially kicked off last weekend and the stage has been set for yet another edition of competitiveness among top English clubs. With the end of the Transfer Window getting closer with each passing day, the urgency of various clubs to sign new and competent players has definitely increased.
Few might argue with the fact that this has not been a good window for Arsenal so far, with none of their rumoured deals materialising into something substantial. After losing to Liverpool at home in their opening game, reports suggest that they may be losing out a vital transfer target to Merseyside club too.
Since injuries hit Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker, Arsene Wenger has made his intentions of signing a striker and a defender before the end of the window known multiple times. However, so far, his pursuits have yielded no visible results.
The North London-based club has been linked to Alexandre Lacazzette, Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, Gonzalo Higuain and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, so far, to absolutely no avail. If the fans of the club are getting frustrated, it is for a valid reason.
Also read: EPL 2016-17: Mustafi agrees to personal terms with Arsenal as Wenger swoops for Valencia defender
As things currently stand, reports suggest that Liverpool have now entered the race for signing the 24-year old central defender from Valencia, Shkodran Mustafi. Talks between Mustafi and Arsenal have apparently been going on for quite some time now but negotiations seem to have hit a stalemate.
Wenger, it is rumoured, is reluctant to meet the £30m asking price that Valencia have set on their player. After appearing on Arsenal's radar last month, the German international is currently in talks with “two to three clubs”, according to statements by his agent. This comes after reports of advanced talks between the said player and Arsenal.
Local Spanish radio station, Cadena Ser, reported this week that Liverpool are one of the clubs interested in Mustafi. Although the Reds won their opening game in the League, they conceded three goals that effectively exposed their defensive weaknesses in one way or the other.
With doubtful questions regarding Mamadou Sakho's continued association with the club, Jurgen Klopp might have a good option in Mustafi alongside Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan who are already a part of the squad.
Arsenal are yet to agree on a fee. As such, it might not be entirely implausible to assume that this transfer target might go the way the previous ones did. The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Mustafi was spotted alone at Valencia's training sessions.
The former Everton defender has been allowed to leave his current club after spending just two years in Spain. However, multiple sources suggest that they are not open to negotiating on the asking price. Mustafi has a £42.1m release clause from Valencia in his contract.
After reports of Liverpool’s interest gained some momentum, newspapers like the Daily Mail have come out with statements that deny it. So far, there has been no official confirmation from either Liverpool or Valencia.
