Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi in Shock Barcelona Talks

Shkodran Mustafi’s Agent Confirms Talks With Barcelona.

Shut the front door.

While the Premier League is watched worldwide, it appears Catalonia must have a ban on viewing football in England, since there is no logical explanation for why they would have any interest whatsoever in bringing Mustafi to La Liga.

Barcelona, who recently lost Gerard Pique to injury, are in need of a stop-gap signing to bolster their central defensive ranks – preferably on the cheap.

La Blaugrana, like much of the football world, are cash-strapped heading into the January window, hoping to acquire players either on free transfers or for as few pennies as feasible. Mustafi had been previously linked with a shock move to Camp Nou, one his agent, Emre Öztürk, confirmed was now being discussed.

"“I’m not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, whom we also represent,” he told told SPOX journalist Fabian Zerche when questioned about a recent post on Instagram showing him at the Camp Nou."

Said post was titled ‘ready for meeting’, strongly indicating that discussions have taken place for a move.

From a logical point of view, any talks could be with a view towards a free transfer in the summer when the 28-year-old will be free to move without the need to negotiate.

Equally, coming to an agreement on a contract with Barcelona before Arsenal get involved grants Barça the upper hand in negotiations. Not that there is expected to be much reluctance on the Gunners’ part to get Mustafi off the wage bill in January.

Additional to that, Josep Capdevila divulged further information, stating that the deal would be for six months, either permanently from Arsenal or on loan. His previous La Liga experience plays in his favour.