Arsenal agree terms with £25m-rated ever-present defensive stalwart as Arsene Wenger scrambles for reinforcements

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Arsenal have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, according to the player’s agent.

The German international has emerged as a top target for the Gunners this month as Arsene Wenger counts the cost of injuries.

While Laurent Koscielny will miss the start of the Premier League season after his involvement at Euro 2016 earlier this summer, both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel have picked up long-term setbacks that will rule them out of this weekend’s encounter with Liverpool and beyond.

In turn, Wenger will be keen to add a defender to his squad sooner rather than later, with The Guardian now reporting that they have agreed terms with Mustafi, who is valued by the La Liga outfit at £25m.

“It now just remains for the teams to come to an agreement over the fee,” the 24-year-old’s agent Ali Bulut told Spox.

Time will tell as to whether or not the Gunners can get Mustafi in ahead of the weekend, but it certainly appears highly unlikely that he’ll be able to solve their issues against Liverpool.

However, his addition will be a welcome boost for the rest of the players as Wenger has yet to add to his other marquee signing of the summer thus far in Granit Xhaka, and so bolstering his squad in the final few weeks of the transfer window will be crucial.

Mustafi made 44 appearances for Valencia in all competitions last season, establishing himself as a key part of their team before heading to France this summer with the German national team for Euro 2016 where he scored in the opening game of the tournament before being replaced in the line-up by Mats Hummels.

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