It is being reported this evening that Spanish side Valencia are trying to secure a deal for Manchester City centre back Mangala, in what would seem to be a possible replacement for Shkodran Mustafi.
Mustafi has been linked with a possible move to North London over the past few weeks, with the Gunners keen to add an experienced player to their defensive duties. Arsenal were supposedly in the market for a defender before Mertesacker and Gabriel got injured, but after the Brazilian picked up a knock against City in the club’s final pre-season fixture, it cannot be stressed enough that Wenger should be looking to invest.
According to some reports Arsenal have apparently tested the waters at Valencia with an opening bid for the German, however the offer was supposedly rejected. It’s unknown whether Arsenal have hit back with another offer since, but if Valencia are supposedly looking into signing Mangala, then it could be a hint that one of their current crop is on the verge of leaving.
Signing Mustafi would be a great addition to the side, especially considering this could well be Mertesacker’s last season at Arsenal. If Arsenal can agree to a reasonable fee with Valencia, then Wenger should definitely make a move for the centre back, but in reality I expect the Spanish side to hold out for the bigger money.
In other news Arsenal have also been linked with West Brom’s Jonny Evans. The former Manchester United centre back is very much an Arsene Wenger ‘panic buy’ style of player, so let’s hope that he can convince Valencia to part ways with Mustafi, rather than Arsenal sign Evans!
By AH