The La Liga side are insistent that they will not sell the German defender.
Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi
Quoted by the Mirror, Valencia manager Pako Ayestaran has handed Arsenal a major transfer blow by insisting that Shkodran Mustafi is not for sale.
The Gunners are in the midst of a defensive crisis at this moment in time, with just one senior centre back available.
Both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista have picked up injuries in pre-season, meaning Arsene Wenger has been forced to use inexperienced Rob Holding for their first two games.
Germany’s Shkodran Mustafi and Italy’s Simone Zaza in action
They have targeted Mustafi in the last few weeks, with the Mail reporting two weeks ago that they have made a £15 million bid.
The La Liga side have refused to sell the German international, and now Ayestaran has backed that up by claiming he won’t be leaving.
“Mustafi is not for sale and he will stay at Valencia. The market is open and there are still possibilities,” the Mirror reports him saying.
“With Alcacer I can be as firm as with Mustafi, Lay Hoon already said it. The president has said in public that Alcacer and Mustafi are not for sale and I have to believe her.”
Germany’s Shkodran Mustafi reacts after missing a chance to score
It now remains to be seen whether Arsenal can try and tempt Valencia into selling Mustafi.
It appears that it will take a large offer for the La Liga side to be tempted into a sale, something that is unlikely to come from Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger has already spoken of his desire to avoid paying over the top for players and it seems likely that their pursuit of Mustafi could be coming to an end.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before the start of the match
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