Schalke sports chief Jochen Schneider is happy with their deadline day deal for Shkodran Mustafi.
Just as they were agreeing to send Ozan Kabak away to Liverpool, S04 were signing Mustafi on a free transfer from Arsenal.
Mustafi has joined S04 initially to the end of the season. The Germany international negotiated a release from his contract with the Gunners over the weekend before agreeing terms with Schalke on deadline day Monday.
For Schneider, the deal makes sense, with Mustafi a cost effective replacement for Turkish youngster Kabak.
"You have to look at this transfer from two perspectives: From an economic point of view, the transfer of Ozan Kabak makes a lot of sense for Schalke 04, especially with a view to the effects of the corona pandemic," says Schneider, quoted by the club's website.
"In addition, we are convinced that with Shkodran Mustafi we have been able to sign a very good central defender who will fill the sporting void that Ozan is undoubtedly leaving behind."
Mustafi, having come through the youth systems of SV Rotenburg and Hamburg SV, has never played first team football in his home nation. He boasts 20 caps with Germany.
This season, Mustafi managed nine appearances for Arsenal, including playing five games in the Premier League. The 28 year-old moved to Arsenal in 2016 from Valencia.
- updated February 3
