Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'in talks' to sign Germany and Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi

The north London club are in the market for an experienced defender to cover the injured Per Mertesacker

Shkodran Mustafi has impressed for Germany at centre-back (Getty)

Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, according to reports.

Sky Sports has claimed that the Gunners have approached the Spanish club but no offer for the German centre-back has yet been made.

Mustafi has a release clause of £42.1m but it’s believed that the north London side might be able to bring the 24-year-old to the Emirates Stadium for £25.3m plus a further £8.4m in add-ons.

This follows Arsene Wenger’s recent admission that Arsenal are now in the market for another centre-back, having recently lost Per Mertersacker on a long-term basis due to a knee injury he sustained in Arsenal’s friendly against Lens.

Speaking ahead of his sides 2-1 win against MLS All Stars on Thursday, Wenger said: “We have bad news on Per Mertesacker…I know you will ask me for how long he will be out. I don't know that, it's months, but I don't know how long he will be out for.

"We have to look for an option to get a bit more experience.

"We will see some of our young centre backs on Thursday as well. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in."

Mustafi returned to training with Valencia on Thursday following his post-Euro 2016 break. His agent is now expected to fly to Spain to discuss the transfer fee with Valencia.

The former Everton defender has been with The Bats since 2014 and has made over 60 La Liga appearances.

He has also been capped 12 times for the German national side since making his debut in 2014 and featured at centre-back during Germany’s Euro 2016 campaign.