Arsenal are in the transfer market for a central defender after injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.
The North London club have been heavily linked with a move for German international Skhodran Mustafi, but haven’t made any bids yet.
Yesterday, Evening Standard reported Valencia would want to sign Eliaquim Mangala to replace Mustafi should he leave for Arsenal.
On Wednesday, Valencia newspaper Super Deporte acknowledge those reports, and that they claim Valencia will only let Mustafi leave if they can agree a deal for Mangala.
In addition to this, Super Deporte reveal Mangala was close to signing for Valencia last summer as there were plans to involve him in a deal for Nicolas Otamendi.
Valencia need to sell players to keep FFP in check, but don’t intend to sell Mustafi. They would rather sell the likes of Orbán, Santos or Abdennour, but haven’t received any bids for them so there is a chance they might consider a deal for the German defender.
Once again, Super Deporte, who are usually pretty good on Valencia business, have no direct claims about an Arsenal swoop for Mustafi. They, like many others, simply assume there must be interest of some level.
There’s no update on Wednesday across the rest of the Valencia media either.
