Arsenal reportedly look to sign international center back

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Valencia center back and German international Shkodran Mustafi, according to a report for the Football Transfer Tavern (via Emanuele Giulianelli).

Mustafi had a very good year last season in La Liga, and he was rated as a top 20 player in the league, according to the whoscored.com rating system.

Mustafi averaged 2.7 tackles and 4.4 interceptions per game in league games last year. His strong play with his club team earned him a call up to the German National Team at Euro 2016 this summer.

The Gunners are in dire need of a center back after Per Mertesacker has been ruled out for five months with a knee injury, so Mustafi would be a great fit for Arsene Wenger’s side.

He is a player who could step in and start immediately, which is exactly what the Gunners need.

Wenger is still reportedly pursuing Jeison Murillo of Inter Milan, but Mustafi is a very good option as a backup plan. At this point there seems to be a realistic chance that Arsenal can get one of Murillo/Mustafi in the coming weeks.