Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi fancies Inter Milan move but Gunners wisely refuse to entertain the idea
German centre-back joined Arsene Wenger's side 12 months ago but reports in Italy claim he is already eyeing up an exit
ARSENAL defender Shkodran Mustafi is open to ditching the Gunners after a single season and moving to Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy.
Sky Italia claim the centre-back is interested in quitting the Emirates, just 12 months after his £34million move but the Gunners are wisely refusing to entertain the idea.
Arsene Wenger shelled out the huge sum for the Valencia star last August and he made an instant impact helping to shore up an infamously flimsy backline.
With Brazilian flop Gabriel Paulista moving to Valencia – and Per Mertesacker recovering from a hole in the head – Mustafi is essential to Arsenal’s season.
Wenger played three at the back on the opening day against Leicester – with zonal marking at set-pieces – and the Gunners were carved apart three times and needed a late comeback.
Inter were linked with a huge overhaul this summer that never really came to fruition but have instead made a handful of low-profile signings.
The Serie A side did make a statement by clinging on to Manchester United target Ivan Perisic, proving they still have some of the transfer clout of their glory days.
Luciano Spalletti might not be completely deterred by Arsenal’s rebuff as he’s under added pressure to finish well in the league this season.
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For the first time since 2012, fourth place will secure a Champions League spot for a top-tier Italian side.
Wenger is keen on clearing out a handful of fringe players away from Mustafi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Kieran Gibbs, Mathieu Debuchy and Jack Wilshere look redundant in the squad but Wenger is desperate to keep the Ox.
The Frenchman said: “I rate him highly and he’s one of the players who is on his way up.
“In the last year, he has made huge progress and I want him to stay here for a long time.
“I’m convinced he will be the English player that everybody will look at in the next two years.”