Agent of Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi backtracks on previous claims deal agreed with defender
Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi's agent has backtracked on claims that a deal had been agreed between the player and the north London club.
Valencia's German World Cup-winning defender has been at the centre of speculation linking him with Arsenal this summer as the Gunners search for another centre-back in the midst of a defensive injury crisis.
Hie agent, Ali Bulut, told German magazine Kicker that "there are discussions, but there is no agreement either between Arsenal and Mustafi, or between Valencia and Arsenal," having previously stated that "Shkodran and Arsenal have agreed. Now all is needed is for the teams to agree on a transfer fee".
Read more: Absent Arsenal players will give Liverpool reasons to be cheerful
Arsenal may be without a match fit senior central defender for their first fixture against Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.
Per Mertesacker will be sidelined for "a few months" according to manager Arsène Wenger, and Gabriel has been ruled out for six to eight weeks after both suffered injuries during pre-season.