Fenerbahce want to take Shkodran Mustafi on a one-year loan, since they can’t afford Arsenal’s £25m asking price for a permanent transfer, according to reports in Turkey.
Turkish outlet Aksam report that Fenerbahce sporting director Damien Comolli is set to meet with Arsenal officials next week over the potential transfer. However, as per yesterday’s reports, Fenerbahce couldn’t afford £25m for the defender, so they’re pushing for a one-year loan move instead.
If all goes well with Arsenal, the Turkish club will also sit down with Mustafi to discuss personal terms during their visit.
In all honesty, Mustafi is probably the most likely to prove an obstacle to this move.
You can see why Arsenal might consider a loan, to clear some space on the wage bill and focus on the development of other defenders. It’s much harder to see why Mustafi would accept a loan to Turkey at 27 years old with just two years left on his Arsenal contract.
If the German is going to leave Arsenal this summer, it may as well be to somewhere he can make a fresh start, or at least a loan to somewhere he can really prove himself. Even if he had a great season in Turkey, it would be unlikely to earn him another chance in North London.