The Gunners appear to be relying on their Premier League rivals in their quest to land the centre-back.
Shkodran Mustafi
A report in the Daily Mirror has claimed that Arsenal have been told by Valencia that a deal for Shkodran Mustafi will cost them £50m, but the La Liga side’s interest in Chelsea winger Pedro could boost the Gunners’ chances of landing the centre-back for a smaller fee.
The Mirror reports that Arsene Wenger had previously been put off a move for the 24-year-old due to his asking price, but Los Che’s need for funds to spend on bringing the Blues star back to Spain could mean that they are more willing to do a deal for a lower price.
Pedro
The Mirror adds that Arsenal transfer fixer Dick Law has travelled to Spain to discuss a potential move for the World Cup winner, while Valencia’s director of football Jesus Garcia Pitarch is in London for talks regarding a deal for former Barcelona man Pedro.
Though Arsenal managed to keep a clean sheet away at Premier League champions Leicester at the weekend, Wenger will surely still feel that he needs to bolster his options before the deadline comes.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Laurent Koscielny’s absence was exploited by Liverpool on the opening day as they put four past the Gunners at the Emirates, which suggests that without reinforcements, their title hopes will go up in smoke if the Frenchman sustains an injury at any stage throughout the campaign.
Signing Mustafi would arguably provide that depth, so they will be hoping that Chelsea do them a favour by leaving the path clear for Pedro to move to the Mestalla as it may force Valencia to reduce their asking price for a player who the Mirror claim is Wenger’s number one target.
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