According to Calcio Mercato, AC Milan, under the sage-like guidance of our former CEO Ivan Gazidis, are said to be interested in signing Shkodran Mustafi this summer.

It’s widely expected that Arsenal will try and offload the Germany international in the summer as Unai Emery looks to strengthen a defence that conceded 51 goals in the Premier League.

The boss has defended the centre-back when he’s come under-fire this season but he’s also fallen behind Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny in the pecking order.

Under contract until 2021, the 27-year-old is a relatively marketable commodity. He has experience playing in both Italy (Sampdoria, 2012-14) and Spain (Valencia (2014-16) and has a World Cup winner’s medal.

While there’s little chance of recouping all of the crazy £35 million fee we splashed out three years ago, we could probably get half of that.

Mustafi was heavily linked with a return to Italy after just one year at the Emirates. On that occasion, Arsene Wenger was willing to offload him to Inter Milan or Juventus in the hope of signing Jonny Evans as a replacement. In the end, the terms didn’t suit Mustafi.

AC Milan are said to be looking to replace 32-year-old Colombian international Cristian Zapata and are apparently open to a loan deal for Mustafi if they can’t meet Arsenal’s asking price.

In today’s issue of Gazetta dello Sport, it’s claimed Gazidis would like to restructure Milan’s recruitment philosophy around scouting and signing young players. This wouldn’t really fit that, but who knows.

The transfer window may have opened but with Arsenal counting down to Baku it’s unlikely we’re looking to do any business until the season is properly done and dusted.