Arsenal round-up: Draxler interest; Bid for Mustafi; Perez nearing the exit

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Arsenal could be ready to enter the transfer market to sign PSG attacker Julian Draxler, who is free to leave his current club. The Times report that the Gunners have a long-standing interest and they could be set to make their move before the transfer deadline. The French club are willing to let him go for £32 million as he is no longer guaranteed a starting spot due to the arrival of Neymar.

The Gunners do need to sign another attacking player if they are to push for the Premier League title. Their two signings this summer have been good ones, but they need to add more quality to the team in an ideal world. Draxler has proven himself at the highest level and it would be a deal that the supporters would be behind. Thomas Lemar has been their priority target this summer, but their interest in the PSG player goes back further than that. The asking price is a fair one and Arsene Wenger should act quickly.

Inter Milan are interested in Shkodran Mustafi as they try to strengthen their defensive options. Sky Italia report that the Serie A club have had a loan bid rejected for the centre back, but that hasn’t deterred them. They are ready to go back in with a bid for a permanent transfer. Arsenal will want to get back most of the money that they paid to him last summer, which was around £35 million.

This one has come from nowhere and it would be surprising if the club decided to let Mustafi leave. He was impressive during his debut campaign and showed that he could thrive in the Premier League. Arsenal haven’t signed a new centre-back this summer and if they want to continue with a three-man defence, they can’t afford to let any of their current players leave. They should reject any offers that come in from Inter, as it would be near impossible to replace the 25-year-old at this stage of the window.

Lucas Perez has been linked with a departure all summer and he looks set to finally leave the club. The Mirror report that Deportivo have agreed on a deal to loan the striker this season. The transfer will become permanent next summer for a fee of £10 million. There had been interest from his former club since the start of the window and there had been rumours suggesting Newcastle United were also in the running.

It was always likely that the striker would leave the club, but Arsenal kept him until now as they were trying to get the best deal for the player. The Gunners need to clear out those that won’t feature as they try to trim their wage bill. Perez did well when he was called upon last season, but he wasn’t happy to be a squad player. He wanted to leave and it is good for the club that a departure is now close.