Shkodran Mustafi joins Kolasinac at Schalke FC on deadline day
By Varun Aithal
Shkodran Mustafi will rejoin his defensive partner in crime Kolasinac at Schalke FC after his Deadline Day move away from Arsenal.
What a dream transfer window it has been for Arsenal. After a slow start to the season, the fans who asked to sack Mikel Arteta as Arsenal’s manager find themselves in a spot of bother.
Though it was inevitable that Arteta would clear out the deadwood, nobody expected it to be as soon as January. In a single transfer window, Arsenal have shipped off Sead Kolasinac, Mesut Ozil and Sokratis.
Following them out of the Emirates is Shkodran Mustafi. The German left for his home country after agreeing to cancel his contract with Arsenal and will join up with Schalke FC. This deal did, however, help Arsenal’s English rivals Liverpool in the process.
Thank you and good luck, @MustafiOfficial 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2021
The defender agreed to terms with Schalke early in the day but was waiting for confirmation on Schalke center-back Kabak, who is now a Red from Anfield. It is further said that Mustafi has agreed to a six-month contract with the Bundesliga strugglers.
"Shkodran Mustafi has joined Bundesliga side Schalke in a permanent transfer. The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes. (Via: arsenal.com)"
The former Valencia star was linked with a move to Anfield as Klopp struggles with an injury crisis. However, the Reds turned their attention towards other alternatives such as Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies.
Shkodran Mustafi played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s fifth-place finish in both the 2016/17 season and the 2018/19 season. The player also won the FA Cup along with Arsenal in the pandemic struck 2019/20 season.
Arsene Wenger signed the CB from the Spanish outfit in a deal worth €41 million. However, the player was outcasted by Mikel Arteta, as he prefers David Luiz, Gabriel, and Rob Holding over the 28-year-old.
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The Gunners’ move to let go of all their veteran defenders might backfire heavily. It is a massive risk having little experience at the back when coming into the big games.