The Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal.

The Germany international has struggled to make an impact during his three years in North London and has been tipped to move on this summer.

The Gunners’ unrealistic £30m price tag has put teams off making an approach but, according to L’Equipe as quoted by Metro, Monaco have made contact with the north London outfit in the hope of finding a middle ground.

With Laurent Koscielny is expected to make a move away from the Emirates, however, and no other centre-backs are likely to arrive before the transfer window shuts down next week, the report indicates that it is unlikely the Gunners will agree to sell at this stage.

Unai Emery’s side have already signed William Saliba from Saint-Etienne last week, but the 18-year-old defender has been loaned back to the Ligue 1 side for the next 12 months.