Arsenal were locked in talks with Valencia on Friday night as they attempt to conclude a £25 million deal to sign defender Shkodran Mustafi.
Peter Lim, the Valencia owner, has been in London for discussions which are understood to be ongoing as the clubs close in on an agreement for the Germany international.
All parties are confident that a deal for Mustafi will be finalised so that the 24-year-old is available to play for Arsenal when they take on Premier League champions Leicester City in their second fixture of the new campaign next Saturday.
Mustafi has already agreed terms on a five-year contract to move to the Emirates Stadium having been identified by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as the man to bolster the Gunners’ injury-hit defence.
Arsenal are without both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel due to knee and ankle injuries respectively sustained during pre-season.
The deal for Mustafi is expected to be worth around £25 million plus add-ons and he will join summer signings Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding, Takuma Asano and Kelechi Nwakali in North London.
Arsenal open their Premier League season at home to Liverpool on Sunday looking to build on their second-placed finish last term.
Wenger remains keen to add a striker to the squad before the end of the summer transfer window, with Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette still the most likely option although Arsenal are reluctant to pay more than £35m for the Frenchman.
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