Valencia insist Arsenal target Mustafi is ‘not for sale’

Matt Stead

Valencia boss Pako Ayestaran insists Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi will remain with the La Liga club.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed the Gunners are in talks with Valencia over a deal for Mustafi as he scrambles to solve his defensive injury crisis before the end of the transfer window.

However, Ayestaran is adamant the Spanish outfit are under no pressure to sell the Germany international, unless Arsenal meet the centre-back’s £42million release clause.

“Mustafi is not for sale and he will stay at Valencia. The market is open and there are still possibilities,” he said.

And Valencia are now expected to also keep hold of striker Paco Alcacer, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

“With Alcacer I can be as firm as with Mustafi, Lay Hoon already said it,” Ayestaran added.

“The president has said in public that Alcacer and Mustafi are not for sale and I have to believe her.”