Ozil convinced me to join Arsenal Shkodran Mustafi

Transfer Tittle-Tattle with John Kyanda/Hot 96/@johnkyanda

Shkodran Mustafi says he sought the counsel of fellow German international Mesut Ozil before agreeing his move to Arsenal.

Mustafi’s switch from Valencia became one of this summer’s more protracted transfer sagas, but the Gunners’ move for the former Everton defender is expected to be completed this week.

While the 24-year-old was unable to pick the brains of another member of the London team’s German contingent – Per Mertersacker – he did turn to good friend Ozil for the inside track on his new club.

‘I did not see Per for a long time because he quit international football but I talked to Mesut,’ said Mustafi.

‘He told me everything I wanted to know. Everything was positive, so I was convinced very fast. It did not take much.’

Mustafi was further attracted to the Emirates Stadium by the style of football preferred by manager Arsene Wenger.

‘I have always loved Arsenal, I like how they play here, it is not typical English,’ added Mustafi, speaking to Sky Sports Germany.

‘The game here is more like in Spain and with the German national team, keeping the ball on the grass, so it was easy to convince me.’

Ozil delivered a sparkling goalscoring display on what was his first Premier League start of the campaign at Watford on Saturday. The 27-year-old, a 42.5 million pounds buy from Real Madrid in 2013, was given an extended summer break following his involvement at Euro 2016.

Germany were beaten by hosts France in the semi-final of the tournament, a match in which Mustafi appeared from the bench.

His only appearance this term also came as a substitute, Valencia calling on the centre back at half-time in their shock 4-2 home defeat by Las Palmas last week.

Mustafi had a 42million pounds  release clause in his deal at the Mestalla Stadium, but Arsenal have agreed a deal worth up to 35million pounds for his services.

ENGLAND

Chelsea have had a bid for Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez rejected but – Madrid president Florentino Perez would be open to a 60million pounds  deal.

.Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma,  is wanted by Bundesliga side Schalke

Manager Antonio Conte could bring in a defender, however, with Chelsea ready to play 21million pounds  for Fiorentina full-back Marcos Alonso .

Crystal Palace are close to signing Chelsea striker Loic Remy  on a season-long loan.

Palaces are also keen to sign Everton midfielder James McCarthy   who is set to leave Goodison Park.

. Manchester United have told defender Marcos Rojo he is not for sale after rejecting two bids for the defender.

. Arsenal defender Calum Chambers is expected to join Middlesbrough on a season-long loan.

. Stoke City are still hopeful of signing West Brom striker Saido Berahino before this transfer window closes.

.West Brom have agreed a club-record  13million pounds  fee with Tottenham for attacking midfielder Nacer Chadli.

.Everton are in talks with Napoli to sign Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini.

.Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-Min has said he is in the dark over a possible move to Wolfsburg and added that speculation surrounding his future at White Hart Lane is “not a good sign.”

. Liverpool are unlikely to sign Borussia Dortmund youngster Christian Pulisic this transfer window.

.Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Lucas Lima from Santos.

ITALY

.Juventus have ended their pursuit of Paris St-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi  who was viewed as a potential replacement for Manchester United’s recent signing Paul Pogba.

. Former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini  is close to a return to Italy, with Roma and Torino in negotiations.

Liverpool have told winger Lazar Markovic  that he can leave the club on loan, with AC Milan interested.

Palermo have made a double swoop for former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti and Brazilian forward Bruno Henrique.

Italian side Torino want to sign City goalkeeper Joe Hart before Wednesday’s transfer deadline passes.

. Chelsea have reportedly offered Cesc Fabregas to Inter Milan in a bid to sign Marcelo Brozovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport

. Palermo are waiting to hear whether they have succeeded in an ambitious attempt to bring Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli back to the city of his birth.

SPAIN

Barcelona are on the verge of completing a reported 30million  Euros  move for Spain international Paco Alcacer from Valencia after the striker arrived for a medical on Monday.

Valencia are planning to replace Arsenal-bound Shkodran Mustafi with Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay, according to sources in Spain and Russia.

Sources: BBC, SkySports, soccernet.com.dailymail.co.uk