Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Shkodran Mustafi and Aymen Abdennour Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly unwilling to meet Valencia’s £30 million valuation for centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and are said to have been offered defender Aymen Abdennour by the Spanish outfit instead. 

Per Sami Mokbel of MailOnline, Los Che are adamant they will not sell Mustafi for anything less than their asking price in a potential blow to the Gunners’ search for a new centre-back.

David Ornstein of BBC Sport offered more details as to why Arsenal are reluctant to splash out:

Mokbel added that Abdennour has been offered to Arsenal after a tough first season in Spain, although Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is said to be set on signing the Germany international.

The piece states that Arsenal are considering West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans as a possible alternative to Mustafi. Ornstein provided further details on some other contingency plans:

Those who tuned in for Arsenal’s opening game of the season against Liverpool will attest to their need for defensive reinforcements. The Emirates Stadium crowd was stunned as their inexperienced back line caved in against the Reds in a 4-3 loss, with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane running riot.

With Laurent Koscielny not deemed fit enough to feature and injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, it’s an area of the squad the Gunners are extremely short in. Mustafi, who has fashioned a reputation as one of European football's rising defensive stars, would offer some welcome respite in this area.

These numbers from WhoScored.com are a testament to his defensive qualities:

Abdennour would be an intriguing option. The Tunisia international endured a torrid first season in La Liga, struggling when playing out from the back and making rash decisions on a frequent basis. However, the Premier League seems a better fit for his skill set.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

And maybe for what Arsenal need, too. While Wenger wants all of his players to be composed on the ball and technically proficient, some defensive decisiveness would make a huge difference. Abdennour showed that in spades at AS Monaco before moving to Spain, as well as the aggressiveness and physicality that’s so vital in English football.

The Gunners would be signing a player who is short of confidence, though. Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror was far from impressed with the 27-year-old:

While Arsenal need a centre-forward, their priorities have shifted based on the injuries to Mertesacker and Gabriel. The team fielded against Liverpool doesn’t have the experience or defensive acumen needed to win Premier League games, never mind push for the title.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Mustafi, therefore, must be the priority acquisition, as much as the club need a classy goal-getter and have done for a long time. Not only will he help shore up the back four at the Emirates Stadium, he’d arguably be an upgrade on Mertesacker as Koscielny’s centre-back partner in the long term.

Here is a look at how the Valencia man compared with his compatriot and the Frenchman in league matches last term:

	Mustafi	Koscielny	Mertesacker
Apps (Sub)	30	33	24
Goals	2	4	0
Tackles per game	2.7	1.4	1.1
Interceptions per game	4.4	3.8	1.5
Clearances per game	5.3	5.6	4.5
Blocks per game	0.7	0.8	0.4
Aerial duels won per game	3	3.2	2.2

Although it’s early in the campaign, Arsenal need to build some positive momentum quickly following Sunday’s chastening afternoon. Plus, the prospect of Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Ahmed Musa getting stuck into that back four on Saturday when the Gunners visit Leicester City will be a terrifying one for supporters.

In an inflated summer market for a team in desperate need of a new centre-back, Mustafi would be well worth the outlay of £30 million. Of course, there are finer details that’ll need ironing out, but ruthless sides will pay the money required to get the man they want. It’s time for Arsenal to show they are that.