Arsenal face the prospect of missing out on major defensive target Shkodran Mustafi, with renowned Spanish journalist Guilem Balague telling Sky Sports that Valencia will not the sell the German for less than his release clause.
The Gunners have been embroiled in a summer-long transfer saga linking them with a move for the former Sampdoria enforcer, especially following injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista in pre-season.
However, the La Liga club are obviously keen to hold onto Mustafi and will not be bullied by his suitors.
The former Everton youth player has a €50 million (£43 million) release clause in his deal at the Mestalla and the Spanish side are believed to be unwilling to negotiate from this price.
Balague has warned Arsenal fans that they should not get their hopes up and that the prospect of Mustafi staying at Valencia seems likely.
“The coaching staff at Valencia think Mustafi will not go, and this is the same message being made by Valencia,” he said.
“They insist the only way Mustafi will be allowed to leave is if Arsenal trigger his €50m (£43.1m) buy-out clause, which I think everybody will agree is too much money for him.
“Valencia’s position is such because they don’t think they can find someone to replace him, given the proximity of transfer deadline day. It’s a similar stance to the one they have with Barcelona target Paco Alcacer, or at least that’s the message they are giving out.
“So, as things stand, neither Mustafi nor Alcacer will be leaving Valencia. I heard Arsene Wenger confirm publicly that Arsenal were in negotiations for Mustafi. That’s very rare for him to do so. Perhaps he is trying to apply some pressure on Valencia to sell.
“Valencia have had difficulties with Financial Fair Play, but that has improved recently. They still need to sell one or two players, but they would rather part with the likes of Aderlan Santos or Lucas Orban, sales which they believe would bring the club in line with the regulations.
“So they are not as desperate as some are making them out to be.”
Arsenal have also been linked to a number of other defenders, including West Brom’s Jonny Evans.
