‘Conversations ongoing’: Mikel Arteta hints £35m Arsenal man could leave this month

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that Shkodran Mustafi could yet leave the Emirates Stadium this month.

The 28-year-old defender’s future in North London has been in doubt for some time.

Football.london reported in October that Mustafi had rejected a new contract and had informed Arsenal of his plans to leave this summer.

He has only made nine appearances in all competitions this season, and not a single start in the Premier League.

There was even speculation that his Arsenal contract could be terminated this month, but the player’s father and advisor denied these reports.

On Thursday, Arteta was asked by football.london about the prospect of cancelling Mustafi’s deal.

While he was coy on the matter, he appeared to leave the door open to a January departure for the £35million man.

“Again, it’s another situation at the moment that is open,” he said.

“We are having conversations internally, with player and agent. We will see what is the right solution for this moment.

“We are monitoring the situation. I cannot say much more than that. There are conversations going and we will see what is the best one at the end of the transfer window.”

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Mustafi has clocked up over 150 competitive appearances for Arsenal since his 2016 move from Valencia, and has won two FA Cups and a Community Shield with the Gunners.

He has been a good servant to the club, but with his contract expiring in the summer and Arteta rendering him surplus to requirements, his time at the club is pretty much up.

Could he be going to Liverpool, as some pundits have suggested?