Lazio are after Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi, though the two clubs remain a few million apart in their valuations of the player.

The aftermath of the Jamie Vardy kick on Shkodran Mustafi (Photo via Mustafi on Instagram)
The aftermath of the Jamie Vardy kick on Shkodran Mustafi (Photo via Mustafi on Instagram)

Reports in Italy from LLSN suggest a potential Lazio move for Shkodran Mustafi is gaining momentum. Arsenal are willing to negotiate for the defender and value him at €15m, but could consider €12m.

Lazio are reportedly willing to offer €10m, so there’s still a gap to bridge. Corriere della Sera claim a deal could happen between €10m and €12m, though.

Mustafi is open to the move, and there are ongoing conversations. He’d need to lower his wage demands, with Lazio only offering a little over half of what Arsenal are paying him. Napoli are also reportedly in the mix.

As we know, Mustafi is currently recovering from a serious hamstring injury. He should return to full training in October, and he’s already running and taking part in light ball work.

The centre-back should be fit enough to complete an adapted medical, though. Rather like Gareth Bale did joining Spurs despite the fact he’s apparently out for a month. So if Lazio meet Arsenal’s demands, the move could still happen.

From an Arsenal point of view, it would be a good sale. Mustafi finished last season strongly, pre-injury, but he’s in the final year of his deal, Arsenal need money, they have too many centre-backs and need to trim the non-homegrown section of the squad.

So despite Mustafi’s upturn in form, a sale for €10-12m seems too good to turn down, for me.