VALENCIA boss Pako Ayestaran has quashed Arsenal’s hopes of signing Shkodran Mustafi by insisting the defender is not for sale.
Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign a new central defender during the transfer window and has been heavily linked with the German international.
The Gunners have already had a bid of £26million knocked back by the Spanish side with reports also emerging that Valencia value the 24-year-old at a whopping £50m.
Mustafi was named as a substitute in Valencia’s 4-2 defeat to Las Palmas on Monday but Ayestaran is determined to hold keep hold of his wanted man.
Reported in the Mirror, he said: “Mustafi is not for sale and he will stay in Valencia.
“The market is open and there are still possibilities.”
Valencia are also trying to fight off giants Barcelona who are after their highly talented striker Paco Alcacer and Ayestaran admits the duo won’t leave because the club president has spoken.
He continued: “With Alcacer I can be as firm as with Mustafi, Lay Hoon already said it.
“The president has said in public that Alcacer and Mustafi are not for sale and I have to believe her.”
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