Arsenal reluctant to match Mustafi price

Arsenal's pursuit for Shkodran Mustafi seems to have stalled after they were reluctant to match Valencia's £25m valuation for the player.

The Gunners are in dire need of a new centre-back this month after Gabriel joined Per Mertesacker in the injury list, whilst Laurent Koscielny has yet to regain full fitness.

Reports earlier suggested that the German international could link up with the North London side after they began negotiations with Valencia.

However, according to The Mirror, manager Arsene Wenger is unwilling to spend more than £20m for the defender, and this has hit a snag in the discussions.

The German international has previously agreed terms over a five-year contract at the Emirates on wages worth £75,000-a-week.

The Gunners had a dismal start to their Premier League campaign as the makeshift pairing of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding under-performed in a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool.