Arsenal have abandoned their search for a new centre forward and will make the signature of Valencia centre-half Shkodran Mustafi their transfer priority for the remainder of the window, The Telegraph report.
Arsene Wenger’s men are believed to be in the market for a central defender and a centre forward, but have suffered some setbacks in their attempts to land both.
The Gunners are facing a defensive crisis as Gabriel Paulista looks set to join Per Mertesacker on the injury list after being hurt in a pre-season friendly clash with Manchester City.
Mustafi has impressed for club and country over recent years and was part of the Germany squad that lifted the World Cup in Brazil two years ago.
Valencia are said to be holding out for a significant fee for the former Sampdoria enforcer and as such the Emirates Stadium side may well have to break the bank to solve their defensive woes.
