This is the £40m defender Arsenal wanted to sign, not Mustafi – report

By Tony Hughes

Arsenal have reportedly landed top summer target Shkodran Mustafi in a £29.9million deal, but only after missing out on the player they really wanted, according to a report.

The Mirror has claimed that Arsenal turned their attention to Bayer Leverkusen's Omer Toprak as negotiations with Mustafi stalled.

However, the clubs were unable to agree a fee for the 27-year-old defender and the Gunners had to move back to the Mustafi deal.

It was reported that Leverkusen wanted £40million for Toprak, who is seen as one of the Bundesliga's best defenders.

Toprak has been with the German side since signing from Freiburg in 2011 for £2.5million.

The Turkish international has made 172 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and chipping in with five assists.

He's got 23 caps for Turkey and has scored two international goals, but hasn't played for the national side since 2014.

It does look like Arsenal have finally landed a new defender though, in Mustafi.

Gazzetta Dello Sport and Tribal Football journalist Emmanuele Giulianelli claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday morning that the Gunners have finally captured their long-term target.

"Mustafi flying to London late today. He is an Arsenal player," said Giulianelli, who claimed the fee was £29.9million rising to £34.2million.

Mustafi, 24, has won 12 caps for Germany after establishing himself as a regular for his La Liga side since his transfer from Sampdoria in 2014.

The Gunners are also looking likely to land Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez, after they triggered his £17.1million release clause.

In other Arsenal transfer news, Calum Chambers is willing to look for a move abroad if the Gunners send him out on loan this summer.