Ozil key to £35m Mus buy

SHKODRAN MUSTAFI revealed how Mesut Ozil’s glowing reference convinced him to make a £35m switch to Arsenal. Mustafi has agreed a five-year deal at the Emirates and will seal his switch from Valencia today. The German international defender joins countrymen Per Mertesacker and Ozil (above) at Arsenal. Everton reject Mustafi claims he picked Ozil’s brains before deciding to return to England. Mustafi, 24, was won

over by record signing Ozil’s ringing endorsement as he gave him the inside track on life under Arsene Wenger.

He said: “I talked to Mesut and he told me everything I wanted to know. Everything was positive so it did not take much.”

Mustafi is no stranger to Arsenal’s eye-catching playing style following three years at Everton.

He left in 2012 without playing a first-team game but is back after spells with Italian side Sampdoria and in Spain.

Mustafi added: “I have always loved Arsenal. I like how they play. It’s not typical English. Their game is more like in Spain and with the German national team, in keeping the ball on the grass. So it was easy to convince me.”

Gunners-bound Mustafi will be joined by £17m Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez before the deadline.

Calum Chambers will head to Middlesbrough on a season-long loan, despite defenders Gabriel and Mertesacker being on the treatment table.

Boro asked about signing Chambers on a permanent basis but Wenger still sees him as part of his long-term plans, though he is happy for him to be loaned out.

Fellow midfielder Serge Gnabry is also set to be loaned out, with Schalke favourites to sign the German.