Liverpool are currently linked with a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, but new reports today suggest that Arsenal are winning the race to sign the World Cup-winning German international.
Last week, Cadena SER claimed:
* Klopp wants to sign Mustafi, and the Reds are currently in talks with Valencia.
* Liverpool will offer Luis Alberto in part-exchange for the German international.
Arsenal are also interested in Mustafi, and when asked on Sunday about the status of the alleged deal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told SFR Sport:
"Mustafi? We hope it will be done. He is one of a number of players we are looking at. Negotiations are ongoing".
Unfortunately, if today's reports are to be believed, both Liverpool and Arsenal may be priced out of the deal. According to The Mirror:
"Arsene Wenger has been quoted a staggering £50m for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi".
£50m is a laughable fee, and Valencia's top brass are living in cloud cuckoo land if they believe that any club will break the world transfer record (for a defender) to sign Mustafi.
As for Liverpool, the question remains: do Liverpool really need another central defender? Right now, the Reds have Lovren, Klavan, and Matip vying for a first-team place. When Sakho returns, that's make it four; with Mustafi, it'll be FIVE senior international defenders vying for two places in a team that'll be playing once a week (!)
This is the very epitome of unhealthy competition, and makes no sense whatsoever. The Mustafi link only makes sense if Klopp is planning to dump one of either Sakho or Lovren, and after Liverpool's defensive horror shows against Arsenal, and Burnley, Lovren isn't really solidifying his position in the team.
In my view, both Lovren and Sakho are expendable, and I'd personally have no issue with both being phased out of the team this season, with Matip, Klavan, and another central defender (possibly Mustafi for a reasonable price) taking over.
* Hailed as a 'great centre-back' by Nicolas Otamendi.
Last week, Cadena SER claimed:
* Klopp wants to sign Mustafi, and the Reds are currently in talks with Valencia.
* Liverpool will offer Luis Alberto in part-exchange for the German international.
Arsenal are also interested in Mustafi, and when asked on Sunday about the status of the alleged deal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told SFR Sport:
"Mustafi? We hope it will be done. He is one of a number of players we are looking at. Negotiations are ongoing".
Unfortunately, if today's reports are to be believed, both Liverpool and Arsenal may be priced out of the deal. According to The Mirror:
"Arsene Wenger has been quoted a staggering £50m for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi".
£50m is a laughable fee, and Valencia's top brass are living in cloud cuckoo land if they believe that any club will break the world transfer record (for a defender) to sign Mustafi.
As for Liverpool, the question remains: do Liverpool really need another central defender? Right now, the Reds have Lovren, Klavan, and Matip vying for a first-team place. When Sakho returns, that's make it four; with Mustafi, it'll be FIVE senior international defenders vying for two places in a team that'll be playing once a week (!)
This is the very epitome of unhealthy competition, and makes no sense whatsoever. The Mustafi link only makes sense if Klopp is planning to dump one of either Sakho or Lovren, and after Liverpool's defensive horror shows against Arsenal, and Burnley, Lovren isn't really solidifying his position in the team.
In my view, both Lovren and Sakho are expendable, and I'd personally have no issue with both being phased out of the team this season, with Matip, Klavan, and another central defender (possibly Mustafi for a reasonable price) taking over.
* Hailed as a 'great centre-back' by Nicolas Otamendi.
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