Arsenal’s potential deal for Valencia’s central defender Shkodran Mustafi is being held up because Arsenal are reportedly interested in holding back funds for a striker signing.
Well, at least that’s the word the world has recently received from BBC journalist David Ornstein.
This is according to a story by BBC Journalist Ornstein’s claim on the matter; that while Mustafi is keen on a move to Arsenal, the North London club are ‘reluctant’ to pay such a large sum of money for a defender, money that the club intends to spend on a striker.
Ornstein tweeted the following on the morning of the 15th August;
Price the issue. Arsenal want to hold back funds for possible striker signing. #AFC transfer budget factors in fee, salary, agent commission
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 15, 2016
According to the same report, Ornstein has also made the claim that Wenger could move for Bayern Leverkusen’s Omar Toprak or Fenerbahce defender and Danish international Simon Kjaer, as cheaper alternatives to Mustafi.
Here is Ornstein’s tweet on the matter:
Arsenal yet to agree fee for Mustafi. #AFC considering Omer Toprak & Simon Kjaer as alternatives but Mustafi remains priority & keen to join
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 15, 2016
If Ornstein’s argument is to be believed, it can be said that Arsenal are being careful about how they spend their money, something they have been very diligent with, and to to the irritation of the fans, consistent with, for it has not helped their cause in landing top transfer targets.
The market has been further inflated for players in positions that would not, or could not cost that much earlier. John Stones has joined Manchester City for a staggering £47m, which has evidently made life difficult for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, and at a more structural level for the club as a whole.
Toprak and Kjaer are both rock solid centre backs who would come a lot cheaper than Mustafi.
Whatever Arsenal do, it is clear that a central defender must be brought
