Arsenal star set for Emirates stay after injury 'ends hopes of transfer'

Arsenal’s Konstantinos Mavropanos looks certain to stay at the Emirates beyond the summer transfer window after injury curtailed any chances of a move elsewhere.

The defender was being targeted by teams AEK Athens and Panathanaikos from his Greek homeland.

Mavropanos is not considered first choice under boss Unai Emery , but is believed to have turned down an initial approach from AEK.

Sport Witness report that AEK’s sporting director Nikos Liberopoulos was confident he could persuade the 21-year-old on a move though, and was planning to fly in to the UK for talks.

But AEK are since said to have turned their attentions elsewhere after Mavropanos suffered a groin injury.

He now faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after a recurrence of the problem which kept him out of action for much of the last campaign.

Mavropanos made just four appearances for the Gunners last season, and has since fallen further down the pecking order following the arrival of David Luiz.

But with still over a week left before the Greek transfer window shuts, AEK are now thought to be looking at other options.

One defender who could be leaving Arsenal before the deadline though is Shkodran Mustafi.

The German centre-back has been linked with an initial loan move to Serie A side Roma.

Musatfi is also considered no more than back-up to the current Gunners defence, and Arsenal are willing to do a deal with the Italian club, although prefer to include an option to buy next summer for £23 million.

Roma were in discussions with Liverpool over a move for Dejan Lovren, but the Reds were not keen on losing the Croatian with no opportunity to sign a replacement.

In addition, Liverpool wanted to agree permanent switch this summer, while Roma’s preference was to take him on loan.

However Mustafi’s father only denied last month that his son was in talks with the Giallorossi.

Speaking to Romanews Kujtim said: “It’s news to me. There’s nothing in it. There has been no contact with Roma or any other Italian club.”