Arsenal transfer rumour: Gunners agree £35m fee for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi

Arsenal are close to completing a deal with Valencia to sign defender Shkodran Mustafi in the summer transfer window. The Gunners have reportedly agreed a fee around £35m ($46.3m) for the player.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for a central defender to bolster the heart of his back four. He is already without the services of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, with the former set to be out of action until the end of the year.

According to The Guardian, the north London club have agreed a deal with the La Liga outfit, which will allow the German international to travel to England for his medical. Arsenal initially made a £20m ($26.4m) bid, which was rejected by the Spanish side.

Valencia were adamant that Mustafi is not for sale, despite firm interest from Premier League giants. However, they have now agreed a fee with Arsenal for his transfer to the Emirates before the window shuts.

The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with the defender, whose move to England will only be subject to his medical. Mustafi's arrival will strengthen Arsenal's back four and he is likely to partner Laurent Koscielny in the central defending position.

Wenger fielded summer signing Rob Holding alongside Calum Chambers in his side's 4-3 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at home. In the second fixture against Leicester City, the match ended in a goalless draw.

Holding played alongside the France international and both played a key role in the helping their side in maintaining a clean sheet. Mustafi is likely to take the place of the former Bolton Wanderers man in the starting line-up.

The Emirates club's league rivals Liverpool were interested in signing Mustafi, the Mirror reported. However, the Gunners managed to beat Jurgen Klopp's side in landing the Valencia star.

Arsenal have so far signed Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka for a fee of £35m. In addition to this, Wenger has also signed Holding and Japanese forward Takuma Asano in the current window and Mustafi will be Arsenal's fourth signing of this summer.