The line from Spain today on Shkodran Mustafi to Arsenal is that Valencia want the German defender to stay, but they’ll find the next week difficult with interest and big money potentially coming their way.
Mustafi and Valencia held some kind of talks, maybe clear the air ones, on Sunday and the defender was told he’s not being sold, according to Super Deporte, and Valencia are trying to be firm.
It may be expected that it would be the Spanish press talking up Mustafi’s value, with the English press then talking it down, but that hasn’t been the case in recent days.
There’s even been English claims Valencia are demanding £50m, which would be impossible given the player’s buyout clause is €50m. The £50m claims have soon changed to reports that Valencia want the full €50m, and of course that’s been picked up in Spain.
Whereas previously the Spanish reports had said Valencia wanted €30m, maybe €35m, for a deal, the higher figures have predictably caught the eye. The Spanish press have been given encouragement to talk of a potential mega €50m transfer, so of course they’ve done that.
In a roundabout way, the English reports throwing in inflated fees, and wrongly claiming what Valencia are demanding, may well have upped the actual demands.
If Valencia are hearing from England that they’re demanding £50m or €50m, then why not try for €40m? It would be worth a go if things actually get to that stage.
Whereas before, Super Deporte, as one Valencia example, weren’t covering the story as hugely as would be expected, it’s the major story with several claims going out.
But still, there’s no Valencia based reports of Arsenal actually making an offer of any amount for Mustafi.
