Confirmed By Sky Sports: Arsenal On The Verge Of Signing £42.1m-Rated World Cup Winner

With Per Mertesacker ruled out for the next five months with an unknown injury, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been forced to consider signing another centre back to add to what we already have. And according to a report by Sky Germany, a reliable company which is part of the Sky Sports group, Arsenal have opened talks with Valencia for the potential signing of Shkodran Mustafi.

Mustafi, 24, has been linked with Arsenal even before this summer and, with Mertesacker who only has one year left on his contract ruled out till at least February, it is not surprising to hear that Wenger may be interested in signing the German.

Shkodran Mustafi, according to Sky Germany, has a release clause in his contract which could see him leave for £42.1m, but Sky understands that Arsenal can get him for a little over half (£25.3m) of that amount, provided the Gunners agree to potentially pay £8.4m in add-ons. Sky reckons the negotiations are at quite advanced stage, which means Arsenal are looking very likely to complete the signing of the German, who has also been linked with Chelsea. Considering the amount of money Valencia are asking for, it is quite a surprise that Arsenal have got this close to signing a big name.

Should Arsenal sign Mustafi, he will be expected to hit the ground running as this won't be his first stint in the Premier League. Mustafi gained experience of top-flight English football at Everton until 2012 and, considering Arsenal only have Koscielny as a dependable centre back, the Gunners would do well to complete the deal. Mustafi has, at the time of writing this news report, won 12 caps with the German senior team. He was impressive for Germany at the recently concluded Euro 2016 in France.

Should Arsenal sign him, it will make perfect sense, but I just can't see it happening due to the amount of money Valencia are demanding. The Wenger I know is unlikely pay up for £42.1m for a centre back. Mahrez is available for the same amount of money and we haven't paid it, so what makes anyone believe Wenger will pay such an amount for a centre back?

However, Sky Germany, just like the parent company Sky Sports are very reliable; they are rarely wrong when it comes to transfers. Could it be that we are truly in talks with Valencia but Sky have quoted the wrong figure?