Arsenal transfer target Shkodran Mustafi touched down in London this week.
However, his arrival in the English capital was not linked with rumoured interest from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old Germany international has traveled to these shores for Valencia’s preseason friendlies against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
According to the London Evening Standard, a £42.1m asking price stand in between Arsenal and their hopes of signing Mustafi from Valencia.
Standard Sport have picked up on a report from Marca which claims that Mustafi was stopped in passport control by an Arsenal-supporting customs officer who jokingly told the player: “Sign for Arsenal or else you aren’t coming through.”
Arsenal are in the market for a new centre-back this summer to compensate for Per Mertesacker’s knee injury.
Mertesacker will not be able to play again until next year, say The Standard, who quote Gunners manager Arsene Wenger as saying: “We know from experience the most active period is in the last week of August and at the moment it is still a big poker game everywhere.
“The best way to conclude transfers is not to talk about it, but we are in the market. Do I think we will sign an experienced central defender before the season starts? Yes, I do.”
Mustafi started 31 La Liga games at centre-half last season, before making two appearances for Germany at Euro 2016, where he scored one goal.
Chelsea have also been linked with an interest in Mustafi – by The Mirror, who last month reported that Blues boss Antonio Conte switched focus to the German after it became apparent that Leonardo Bonucci was likely to stay with Juventus.