Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club are in talks with Shkodran Mustafi and his agent to find a solution about his contract.
The German international last featured on Boxing Day against Chelsea when he came on for the final minute of the game. He hasn’t even made the squad in any of our games since the turn of the year, which shows just how far down the pecking order he currently is.
Mustafi has entered the final six months of his contract. Reports emerged earlier this week that the former Valencia man is in talks with Arsenal to terminate his deal early – just like his good pals Mesut Ozil and Sokratis did earlier this month. (Football London)
His father, who is also his agent, rubbished those rumours this week, and it looked certain that he was going to remain an Arsenal player until the end of the season. (Read more)
However, Arteta’s comments hint the exact opposite.
The Gunners boss said about Mustafi, as per Arsenal.com: “He’s another situation at the moment that is opening and we are having conversations internally with the player and agent. We’ll see what the right solution is for this one as well.”
“We are monitoring the situation, I cannot say much more than that. We have conversations ongoing and we’ll see what’s the best [decision] at the end of the transfer window.”
Arsenal Insider’s view:
Mustafi leaving in the coming days is a serious possibility. The German has been attracting interest from Italy, and if he reaches an agreement with Arsenal to terminate his deal early, he will find a new club in no time.
The Gunners won’t be too bothered about losing him either. We have Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, David Luiz and Calum Chambers all ahead of Mustafi in the pecking order.
That will not change even if he decides to stay, which makes him leaving the best thing for all parties involved.
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