Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Shkodran Mustafi and Jonny Evans Rumours

Arsenal will reportedly begin negotiations with Valencia "this week" over a possible deal for Shkodran Mustafi and have also made an inquiry into signing West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans.

According to an exclusive from the Sun's Jamie Sanderson, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has made the Valencia centre-back a "priority" and wants to secure a deal before the start of the Premier League season on August 13.

Sanderson stated Arsenal's "chief negotiator has pencilled in talks with Valencia director Jesus Garcia Pitarch" and that Los Che are open to selling him if they receive an offer above £20 million.

"All parties are hopeful of an agreement in the coming days," Sanderson continued, though Chelsea might also throw a spanner in the works, as they too are interested in the Germany international.

As WhoScored.com demonstrated, Mustafi is an all-action defender who stood out in La Liga last season thanks to his ball-winning skills and ability to read the game:

The 24-year-old has made over 100 combined appearances in Serie A and La Liga with Sampdoria and Valencia, and he featured 10 times in European competition for the latter last season.

He played extensively for Germany at youth level and holds 12 senior caps, having been part of his national team's 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016 squads.

Football writer Oli Price-Bates would be pleased if the deal went through:

Meanwhile, according to MailOnline's Simon Jones, Arsenal have also touched base with the Baggies regarding Evans' availability, with defensive cover sorely needed.

In contrast to Mustafi, bookmaker bet365 suggested Arsenal fans might be less happy with signing Evans:

The 28-year-old made almost 200 appearances for Manchester United in an 11-year spell before joining West Brom last summer, having failed to cement a centre-back position at Old Trafford.

Here are his stats from last year compared with Mustafi's, according to Squawka:

	Mustafi	Evans
Apps	30	30
Tackles	51	52
Aerial Duels	87	54
Interceptions	133	92
Blocks	22	28
Clearances	168	119
Take-Ons	7	22
Pass Completion	81%	76%

It's clear Arsenal need more defenders, with Per Mertesacker out injured, Laurent Koscielny not having begun his pre-season preparations and Gabriel Paulista yet to convince.

Evans is experienced and could perhaps do a job at the Emirates Stadium, but he wouldn't inspire a great deal of confidence in Arsenal's recruitment or their chances of sustaining a title challenge this season.

Mustafi, however, would be an upgrade on their defensive options and a player who would be likely to command a starting berth even if all of his team-mates were fit.

He may yet get even better, with his peak years still to come—he would be the clear choice if Valencia were prepared to part with him.