Arsenal: Could They Be Set To Sign Shkodran Mustafi?

There are significant reports linking Arsenal to a move for Valencia center half Shkodran Mustafi. They couldn’t be about to sign him, could they?

As a fan who is so often optimistic about the prospects of the clubs, the development of young players and the rumors that surround the club, it is easy for me to become enshrouded by stories that offer such hope and promise for the future of the club.

I am especially hopeful about many prospective deals that may or may not happy. I’m still waiting for Arsenal to officially sign Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund as they lay down their stall as the next European superpower.

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While this is wholly naive and foolish, it is the hopeful side of me that sees Arsenal act in a way that I feel is best for the club. Sometimes, what I think is wrong, others, it is right. It is the nature of being a passionate fan and supporter. You can’t help but see the hope rather than the misery.

Well, my optimistic side is beaming with joy as I write this with the prospect of Shkodran Mustafi coming to the Emirates. Sky Germany are reporting that Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia’s Mustafi with a fee still being discussed between the two clubs. Mustafi does have a release clause of £42.1 million in his contract, however, cash strapped Valencia will most likely accept far less than that figure, potentially as low as £25-30 million.

I am absolutely in love with this signing. For some time now, even before the injury of Per Mertesacker, I have been arguing that center half must be Arsenal’s priority this season. At first, I had Raphael Varane penciled in as the best target. However, realism must come in to play, and it is unlikely that Arsenal could and would ever pull off such a sensational deal.

Mustafi, on the other hand, is a player who is certainly available, and would certainly improve Arsenal’s options at center half. He would come in as an immediate starter alongside Laurent Koscielny, and at only 24, has time to develop into the anchor of Arsenal’s back four alongside the developing Calum Chambers and Rob Holding.

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Mustafi is the absolute perfect signing for Arsenal. The only issue comes in the fact that Arsenal haven’t yet signed him, and even my optimistic side won’t get ahead of itself until it’s official. We’ve been here before with Arsenal and history has a habit of repeating. Let’s just hope that’s not the case here.

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