Shkodran Mustafi is now the third most expensive German player of all time.

The former Valencia centre-back, who Arsenal finally announced on transfer deadline day eve, reportedly set the Gunners back €41m (£35m), according to Bild. The only German players to cost more are our very own Mesut Ozil (£42.5m) and Leroy Sané, who signed for Manchester City from Schalke this summer for a reported £37m (£46.5m with add-ons).

Mustafi originally cost Valencia just €4m two years ago. That’s quite a jump in price.

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - AUGUST 29: Shkodran Mustafi of Germany plays the ball during a Germany training session prior a friendly soccer match against Finland on August 29, 2016 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY – AUGUST 29: Shkodran Mustafi of Germany plays the ball during a Germany training session prior a friendly soccer match against Finland on August 29, 2016 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

The German international was a key player for the La Liga club, so it stands to reason that they would want to get as much as they could out of Arsenal. They knew we desperately needed him following injuries to both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, so all they had to do was bide their time. There was no need for them to rush since they were in the driving seat.

Is Mustafi worth £35m? We’ll have to wait and see.