Arsenal centre-back on his way to Turkey?

German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is reportedly close to sealing a loan departure from Arsenal amid the interest from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

The central defender has been deemed surplus to requirements under manager Mikel Arteta and he has earned under 90 minutes of action in the five games where the Spaniard has been in charge.

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Mustafi's new representatives are scheduled to meet Galatasaray chiefs in Istanbul this week and an initial loan deal seems a likely solution.

With the loan exit of Konstantinos Mavropanos, the Gunners have only four recognised centre-backs in David Luiz, Sokratis, Holding and Mustafi but the club seem willing to offload the latter, who is out-of-favour under Arteta.

Arsenal have been linked with a big money move for Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig but they do face stiff competition with Barcelona entering the race to sign the Frenchman.

Elsewhere, Jerome Boateng has been associated with a possible loan switch from Bayern Munich but most of the Gunners fans believe the club will regret signing the former World Cup winner.