Arsenal fought off interest from Liverpool to land Shkodran Mustafi and are paying Valencia around €41m for the Germany international, it has been claimed in Spain.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been under pressure to take action in the transfer market, especially in defence following injuries to centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista. Ironically, Liverpool piled on further pressure by putting four past Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the opening weekend of the season.
 



According to Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal should officially complete the capture of Mustafi on Saturday and, it is claimed, Wenger had to battle off Liverpool to land the defender.

The Reds were keen on Mustafi, but Arsenal did the legwork and pushed forward a deal which will see around €41m paid to Valencia, €9m below the defender's release clause.
 


Mustafi bid farewell to his Valencia team-mates on Friday morning as he cleared out his locker in the dressing room at the club's training ground.

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Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of the defender on Saturday.

Valencia will make a big profit on Mustafi, having paid Sampdoria only €8m two years ago to take him to the Mestalla.

The Spanish side are now looking for a replacement for Mustafi.