Spanish outlet Sport claimed earlier this month that Barcelona have Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi on their wish list ahead of the January transfer window.
The German is well down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta at the moment. Gabriel Magalhaes, David Luiz and Rob Holding are all ahead of him, while Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers are close to a return to the squad, which makes life more difficult for the World Cup winner.
Mustafi has entered the final year of his contract. He looked impressive under Arteta at the back end of last season, but an injury cost him his place in the side.
Arsenal reportedly offered a new deal to the German, yet he turned it down and allegedly wants to leave for free in the summer (Football London).
However, not many footballers turn down a move to Barcelona. The Catalans are really struggling in defence at the moment. Clement Lenglet was their last fit senior centre-half, but his injury this weekend means that Ronald Koeman has nobody available at the back now (Marca).
Edu should offer Mustafi to Barcelona for a small fee
Barca really need a new central defender in January. Manchester City’s Eric Garcia is reportedly their first-choice, but they failed to convince Pep Guardiola’s side to let him go this summer.
Arsenal would certainly be open to letting Mustafi leave in January. That will be their last opportunity to make any money off him and, considering Barcelona’s desperate need for defenders, offering them a chance to sign the German for a small fee might work.
Mustafi hasn’t quite had the best of times at Arsenal. He has been heavily criticised by the fans and the media at times. However, he was among the best defenders in La Liga when the Gunners forked out £35 million to sign him in 2016.
The German played 81 times for Valencia in two seasons there and was brilliant for them. He even helped Los Che beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Camp Nou in April 2016; a performance that possibly convinced Arsenal to sign him for big money a few months later.
Selling Mustafi for a small fee in January would be incredible for Arsenal. He has no future at the club, and letting him leave would also save £90,000-a-week (Spotrac) in wages; money that can be used to get a quality midfielder to solve Arteta’s crisis in attack.
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