Shkodran Mustafi is close to sealing his Arsenal exit to join Schalke – in a deal that may ultimately help Liverpool land Ozan Kabak.
Arsenal are ready to offload World Cup winner Mustafi and are in talks with the Bundesliga’s crisis club over him heading to Gelsenkirchen.
Mustafi, who cost £35million when joining from Valencia in 2016, is hoping to head home to resurrect his career and has agreed to terms with the German side.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and hasn’t played a single minute in the Premier League this season for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners had been unwilling to merely let Mustafi depart on a free transfer, despite his contract situation.
Instead, whether it was classed as a loan until the end of the season or a permanent transfer, they had been keen on a fee, having already sent Sead Kolasinac to the Royal Blues on loan at the start of the month
But in a manner similar to Mesut Ozil and Sokratis, the Gunners have agreed to termination to get Mustafi off the wage bill and freeing him up for a return to his homeland.
It is a situation that will have a knock-on effect where Liverpool and Kabak are concerned.
