Arsenal finalise terms with 24-year-old centre-back; yet to agree fee with club

Arsenal have reportedly finalised personal terms with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, but now must agree a fee with his club, according to the Mirror.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been looking to bring in a centre-back following the news that Per Mertesacker could be out for up to four months with a knee injury sustained in pre-season, and the urgency for an addition was increased on Sunday when Gabriel Paulista damaged his ankle ligaments against Manchester City, meaning Laurent Koscielny is now his only fit senior centre-half.

Mustafi’s agent, Ali Bulut, said: “Shkodran and Arsenal agree. There are only the terms to be agreed on a transfer fee.”

The Germany international is understood have a release clause of £42 million with the Spanish club, but Arsenal are keen to pay less and a fee of around £30 million should be enough to get their man, although he won’t be signed in time to face Liverpool in the Premier League curtain-raiser this weekend.