Yesterday we covered a report from Corriere Dello Sport that stated Roma were considering a move for Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi.
The Serie A side need to bolster their backline after selling Kostas Manolas to Napoli and Mustafi is one of the players they are looking at.
The newspaper said the German was just a ‘hypothesis’ at this stage, with Roma also looking at Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren among a list of potential signings.
Sky Italia pick up on the story today and confirm that Mustafi is on Roma’s list, although he’s not one of their priority targets, with a deal considered ‘difficult’.
They like the player and his ‘characteristics’, but Arsenal’s asking price is a hurdle they will struggle to get around.
The Gunners are keen to get rid of Mustafi this summer, that’s been well established, but Sky say they are open to a loan move as well.
They would prefer a loan with an obligation to buy, but as time goes by, they’re becoming more open to a loan with a simple purchase option.
However, it’s the price they’re demanding that’s the stumbling block. The Gunners want to recoup as much of the £37m they paid for Mustafi as possible and have put a €25m figure on his head this summer.
That’s a price that Roma consider as high, so they’re evaluating their options, with plenty of time left in the transfer window for them to get the centre back they need.
