Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Shkodran Mustafi and Fabian Schar Rumours

Arsenal needed a centre-back even before Per Mertesacker suffered a serious knee injury. Now their need is greater, and the Gunners are reportedly keen on Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi and Switzerland international Fabian Schar.

The report comes from Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, and it stated Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to find a quick replacement for Mertesacker:

"

The Gunners have widened their search and have added Shkodran Mustafi and Fabian Schar to the list of centre-backs under consideration.

Mustafi started his career at Everton but established himself at Sampdoria and Valencia, forcing his way into the Germany setup and their Euro 2016 squad.

Schar impressed at Euro 2016 for Switzerland alongside Gunners new boy Granit Xhaka and has a wealth of top flight and European experience from spells with Basel and Hoffenheim.

"

Mertesacker's injury has also altered the immediate future for some of Arsenal's current centre-backs, according to Kajumba. Specifically, he noted how Calum Chambers won't be sent out on loan.

Wenger confirmed Mertesacker's lengthy absence in a recent press conference, per the club's official site:

Worryingly, Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph offered an even bleaker prognosis:

So it makes sense for Wenger to be quickly running the rule over Mustafi and Schar. In fact, Spanish source Plaza Deportiva (h/t Get German Football News) has suggested contact has already been made between the Gunners and Los Che concerning Mustafi:

It's a move Germany-based journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft has endorsed:

Mustafi may seem the more attainable of the two, but Schar is a more intriguing target. He displayed a pleasing blend of physicality, assurance and technical quality during Switzerland's UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.

Still only 24, Schar plays his club football for Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim, and as a ball-playing centre-half, he boasts the attributes Arsenal need at the back.

The search for a new striker has dominated Arsenal's summer transfer window so far, but the need for a new central defender has become every bit as pressing, if not more.

Wenger has already added former Bolton Wanderers youngster Rob Holding, but ahead of the friendly against MLS All-Stars, the Frenchman has also acknowledged he needs more experienced choices: "We will see some of our young centre-backs on Thursday as well. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in."

A veteran option is needed, preferably one who can challenge Brazilian Gabriel Paulista—who was underwhelming last season—to start alongside Laurent Koscielny. The Gabriel and Koscielny mix has hardly proved a complementary one, so Wenger must ensure Arsenal find exactly the right type of defender to replace Mertesacker.

If the new man can mix it in the air, as well as play comfortably on the deck, the Gunners will boast a stronger back four than last season.