ARSENAL defender Shkodran Mustafi is reportedly on his way to Galatasaray, despite the Gunners’ lack of options at the back.
The gaffe-prone German has been predominantly restricted to cup outings this season – having started just once in the Premier League.
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Speculation mounted last week over the 27-year-old’s future, when it was confirmed that he had switched agents.
And Turkish outlet Fotomac claim that the player’s new representatives will fly out to Istanbul to discuss a transfer with Galatasaray officials.
A loan deal is likely – with Arsenal set to make a huge loss on the £35million they shelled out to sign the 2014 World Cup winner from Valencia back in 2016.
Galatasaray have been desperate to recruit a new defender, having lost regular starter Christian Luyindama to an ACL injury back in November.
Arsenal have been in the same boat as the Turkish giants, having recently seen Calum Chambers stricken by a nasty knee injury.
But despite being left with only David Luiz, Sokratis Papastathopoulous, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos – the Gunners are still willing to part with the calamitous Mustafi.
Back in October, Mustafi spoke out about the criticism he had faced for his performances.
He told Spiegel: “I’m self-critical enough to realise that I made mistakes. I can also deal with tough criticism. But the criticism has become escalated and irrational.
“I have become a target. At some point, people even blamed me for a defeat I had not played in at all.
“Football has become more inhumane… Social media has also contributed to this, because anyone can comment, without names. People can unload their frustrations directly on us.
“It is no longer about the sport, but only to discredit someone to get as many likes as possible. I would like to see more restrictions in the future.
“What’s on the internet will never disappear. And I’m worried that this will eventually affect my children.”
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Arsenal could look to replace Mustafi with a fellow German international.
Jerome Boateng has been on their radar for a while, with club chiefs reportedly having held talks over the Bayern Munich defender.
But the Gunners could face competition from AC Milan for the experienced former Manchester City ace.
