With Sokratis Papastathopoulos now out of the way following the mutual decision to cancel his contract, Arsenal now have to decide what they want to do with Shkodran Mustafi.
Mikel Arteta has said he’d like to keep the German defender around since he provides adequate backup for his starting choices, but the 28-year-old may have other ideas, especially if he can get first-team football elsewhere.
Lazio in Serie A have been fans of the player for some time and tried to make a move in the summer, only to end up with Wesley Hoedt on loan from Southampton instead.
Their need for a defender hasn’t entirely gone away, however, and Citta Celeste in Italy claim Mustafi is back on the agenda.
The interest primarily stems from their director of football, Igli Tare, who is said to have ‘resumed contacts’ with Arsenal for their centre-back.
What has come out of these discussions hasn’t filtered through yet, but it could be a case that Mustafi ends up having to force a move if he is to leave the Emirates this window.
We’ll have to wait and see.
