Suitors Step Away From £35m Arsenal Flop, As Fans Get Involved

Arsenal fans have been trying to find a buyer for Shkodran Mustafi after Fenerbahce reportedly stepped away from a transfer.

Arsenal fans have been trying to find a buyer for Shkodran Mustafi after Fenerbahce reportedly stepped away from a transfer. Roma have been linked with a move for the German centre-back, but Sky Sport Italia say that interest has faded after Arsenal set their asking price at around £25m. Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce were also believed to have short-listed Mustafi, but after signing Adil Rami on a free transfer they have dropped their interest. Turkish-Football report that “Mustafi was among several defensive targets and that enquries were made to the defender’s representatives and Arsenal”. However, France international Rami has penned a one-year deal with the option to extend by an additional season and that has ended Fener’s interest in Mustafi. Mustafi has struggled to find his best form since a £35million switch from Valencia in summer 2016 and has been phased out of Unai Emery’s line-up this season after the £7m deadline day arrival of David Luiz forced him down to fifth choice in the pecking order. Emery has made it clear that the player has no future at The Emirates: “We have now some players, they know their situation,” he said. “For example, Elneny and Mustafi know their position in the squad and really I want the players to be happy here, I want the players to be protagonists here. “Last year with Mustafi and Mo, when they didn’t play they weren’t happy and I spoke with them a lot of times last year and this pre-season and I think it is positive for them to leave and sign for another team where they can be protagonists and be happy and continue their careers.” And with Gunners fans also keen to offload the player they inundated Zenit St Petersburg, who opened up their direct messages on Twitter, with messages suggesting the Russian club sign Mustafi, Zenit responded with a tweet showing a face-slapping emoji. Mustafi has another two years remaining on his current deal is understood to earn around £90,000 per-week, according to Spotrac.