Shkodran Mustafi is ready to leave Arsenal, with AS Roma interested in a loan with an option to buy, according to reports in Italy.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JULY 17: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal London looks on during the 2019 International Champions Cup match between Arsenal London and FC Bayern Muenchen at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 17, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – JULY 17: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal London looks on during the 2019 International Champions Cup match between Arsenal London and FC Bayern Muenchen at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 17, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

ForzaRoma report that after contact between Roma and Mustafi in recent weeks, sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has now returned for the Arsenal defender.

The report suggests Mustafi can leave on loan with an option to buy of between £20m and £25m. The German is considered surplus to requirements at Arsenal, which makes finding an agreement easier for Roma, and wages are also not expected to cause any issues.

TMW report a similar story on the potential loan and fees involved, only really adding that there are other clubs interested in Mustafi.

Mustafi was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad against Burnley for the second game in a row at the weekend.

David Luiz’s arrival along with Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Calum Chambers seems to be spelling the end for the German’s chances with the Gunners, particularly after his disappointing cameos against Lyon and Barcelona in pre-season.

With Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos still to return, as well as Kieran Tierney’s comeback potentially freeing up Nacho Monreal to play centrally, and other options in the academy, Arsenal don’t really need to rely on Mustafi as a squad option, let alone a starter. A move seems very likely now.