European Giants Make Shock Move For Shkodran Mustafi

Arsene Wenger has enough to worry about heading into the final couple of weeks of the transfer window, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all yet to sign new contracts with the Gunners and the Arsenal boss still needing one or two additions to his current squad.

One area Wenger may be looking to strengthen is in defence, which looked incredibly suspect during Arsenal's opening day 4-3 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates stadium, last Friday.

Shipping three goals to a team who flirted with relegation for much of last season doesn't do much to inspire confidence and, with Gabriel Paulista set to join Valencia and Per Mertesacker entering his last season with the club, the last thing the Arsenal boss will want is to hear news of a major European club preparing a bid for Shkodran Mustafi.

The German centre-half has reportedly become a late target for Internazionale, with the Nerrazzuri's boss, Luciano Spalletti, looking to add a defender to his squad before 31st August.

Mustafi

San Siro bound? Inter Milan have 'initiated contact' with the German centre-half. Image: PA

Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that the San Siro club have 'initiated contact' with the German international, with the Italian journalist writing on his official website, "...the Nerazzurri are exploring options and have initiated contacts for Shkodran Mustafi.

"Arsenal will not appear willing to loan him after investing so much in him, but Inter are trying to gauge the player's interest. Spalletti is waiting to add a new defender to his squad."

It is unlikely Wenger will want to part with Mustafi, with the World Cup winner setting the Gunners back in the region of £35 million, just over 12 months ago when he arrived from Valencia.

Mustafi

Mustafi was a £35 million arrival from Valencia, last summer. Image: PA

The 25-year-old defender made 37 appearances during his debut campaign at the Emirates stadium, scoring twice.

(H/T Gianluca Di Marzio)

Topics: Internazionale, Football, Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi

Joe Baiamonte

Northerner. Assistant Editor of SPORTbible. Studied Journalism and Broadcasting in a portakabin on a car park of Salford University for three years. Believes football peaked with Serie A in the '90s and strong-arms pro wrestling references into as many articles as possible. Neymar once took 50 euros off me during a game of poker.

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