Passport control is generally not considered the perfect location for transfer deals to be struck, but that wasn’t going to stop one Arsenal fan/customs officer when he spotted Shkodran Mustafi.

The Valencia centre-back, arriving in England ahead of his club’s friendly matches with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, was reportedly stopped by the border official and jokingly told: “Sign for Arsenal or else you aren’t coming through.”

Mustafi confirmed yesterday that he was back in training – so perhaps the officer got his wish?

Unfortunately it may not be as simple as the unnamed border guard would hope when it comes to Mustafi’s possible move to Arsenal.

Though the Gunners are in the market for a centre-back after Per Mertesacker was ruled out until 2017 with a knee injury Valencia are demanding £42.1million for the German defender.

Arsene Wenger, though, offered a bullish assessment of his transfer activity last week as he targets reinforcements in defence and attack.

“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,” he said.

“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.”