Arsenal facing defeat in the transfer market again?

We have to say that we saw this one coming.

Arsenal are known as one of the more prudent clubs in this crazy modern world of football and their questionable transfer strategy could see them lose out in the market yet again.

Because reports today suggest that Chelsea have waded in to the battle to sign the excellent Germany international Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia.

TFF reported earlier in the week that Arsenal had made what looked like a derisory opening offer for the services of the 24-year-old.

We warned at the time that Arsenal were leaving themselves open to offers from other, more ruthless suitors.

And that nightmare appears to have materialised as Chelsea seem to have offered double Arsenal’s £15m offer for the player.

When you look at the profile of the player – he’s still three years from his prime and he’s a Germany international – then he’d surely be worth the money even at £30m.

This is a defender who can solve a problem for Arsenal for the next 8 years. And even if he does move on then his sell on value would be close to, or even more than, the price that Arsenal or Chelsea will pay for him.

So it does smack, yet again, of poor performance and strategy in the market as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger searches for defensive reinforcements before the start of the season next weekend.

Perhaps the club will have to settle for the purchase of a lower calibre option such as Jonny Evans, who currently plies his trade at West Bromwich Albion.