BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein has revealed that Arsenal are looking at the prospect of selling Shkodran Mustafi this summer owing to the inconsistent performances over the past few seasons. The centre-back was one of the most lauded Gunners signings when he joined them from Valencia three years ago but he has struggled to produce a string of top-notch displays.
In a report on BBC Sport, Ornstein has revealed that Mustafi has been on sale in every transfer window since joining the Gunners, though the club have not been able to find the right suitor. He added that the defender has lost the confidence of manager Unai Emery after making several high-profile errors in the recently-concluded campaign.
He said: “Arsenal have tried to sell Mustafi pretty much every window since they signed him. I was told that after the Europa League final that Unai Emery, who had always put his faith in Shkodran Mustafi despite a number of high-profile mistakes, has decided enough is enough with him and he is no longer in favour of keeping him, so he could be sold.”
The Gunners have been looking for a package of around £35m for the World Cup winner but so far, no clubs have been willing to match the asking price. As such, they may have to lower the valuation during the backend of the transfer window such that they can sanction his sale while finding time to pursue another new recruit.
Aside from Mustafi, captain Laurent Koscielny, Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal have also been touted to pursue new challenges, though the Gunners may not sanction the sales of each of those players, considering they have yet to make any central defensive purchase. William Saliba has been constantly linked with the club this summer, but the deal seems unfruitful with Saint-Etienne wanting the teenager back on loan for the forthcoming campaign.