Shkodran Mustafi is close to agreeing a deal to sign for Genoa after his wages caused a problem for Levante.

Bundesliga, SC Freiburg FC Schalke 04 emspor, v l Benjamin Stambouli FC Schalke 04 , Shkodran Mustafi FC Schalke 04 , disappointed, disappointed looking, disappointed
Bundesliga, SC Freiburg FC Schalke 04 emspor, v l Benjamin Stambouli FC Schalke 04 , Shkodran Mustafi FC Schalke 04 , disappointed, disappointed looking, disappointedfi

Things had been very quiet on the Shokdran Mustafi front until relatively recently when the former Arsenal man started to be mentioned in the papers.

A free agent after he was released by relegated Schalke following a quite disastrous spell, Mustafi has been asking for wages in the region of €1.4m-per-year plus a bonus for any goals he scores (£25kpw + bonus).

This was too rich for Levante, who were in talks with the 29-year-old German for around three weeks.

Genoa, however, are said to be close to agreeing a deal with Mustafi and one report from Italy expects the deal to be closed out next week.

Arsenal paid Mustafi £90kpw for four-and-a-half years.