English Premier League side Arsenal continue their search for centre back after suffering a huge defeat in the hands of Liverpool in their first game of the season.
Though the margin was reduced to one, the damage Liverpool did was obvious.
The Telegraph reports that the Gunners have widened their search for a centre back to Fenerbahce with Simon Kjaer their target. Turkey international Omer Toprak is another consideration, though the likely target and most talked about deal is the one with German defender at Valencia Shkodran Mustafi.
Before the transfer window closes in about two weeks, coach Arsene Wenger has made signing a dependable centre back a target but Arsenal and Valencia value Mustafi differently. Mustafi is one of the stars that featured in the Euro 2016 hosted in France for the German machines. He is part of the team that won the world cup in 2014 in Brazil and Arsenal see him as a target that fit their description. The situation at Emirates is an urgent one with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel out injured, and Laurent Koscielny’s fitness concern given he was in at the centre of the action for France at the Euros.
Toprak is the assistant captain at Bayern Leverkusen and has been under Wenger’s radar for a while. The Danish international could be the target if Valencia hopes to jack up the transfer price beyond their valuation after sending desperation. Mustafi remains a priority but former Gunner Thierry Henry opines that Arsenal are no longer the first team club for many top players considering a move to England, especially with the trophy drought and economical transfer policy. He raised questions regarding the finances of Arsenal and why they can’t compete with other top clubs in the market season after season. He adds that even if the transfer fees were high, then it was a reality that Arsenal had to live with.