Arsenal agree to terminate defender's contract

Arsenal have agreed to terminate the contract of German defender Shkodran Mustafi.

The German's current deal was due to expire in June, but he has been permitted to leave in advanced with the cancellation of his contract.

According to Sky Germany, the centre-back is set for a maiden stint in the Bundesliga with bottom club Schalke 04.

The Gelsenkirchen outfit have agreed to loan out Ozan Kabak to Liverpool with the option to buy at the end of the season.

Mustafi will act as the direct replacement, but he is only expected to sign a short-term deal until the summer.

Schalke are currently going through the worst phase in history and they are nine points adrift of safety with only 15 games to play.

Should they get relegated, Mustafi may assess his options. Lazio have been regularly linked with his services over the past year.

Mustafi has parted ways with the Gunners after four and a half years where he accumulated exactly 151 appearances in all competitions.