"?Arsenal are reported to have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over a possible deal for highly rated Uruguayan centre-back Jose Gimenez as Arsene Wenger continues to search for quality new defensive reinforcements after a poor start to the Premier League season.
According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have made contact with Atletico and are continuing to negotiate over Gimenez. It is, however, stated that any move will likely cost around £40m, enough to suggest that price could be an issue for Arsenal.
The report from the Mail adds that while Gimenez is 'open' to the idea of a switch to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are not keen to pay what Atletico are asking for the 21-year-old.
It is further stated that talks with Valencia for Shkodran Mustafi continue as well, with Arsene Wenger considering multiple possible options to ensure that a defender is signed before the transfer window closes later this month.
As far as Mustafi is concerned, the price is again thought to be a problem. A deal with the German international is believed to have already been agreed, but Arsenal have been hesitant over meeting Valencia's reported £30m valuation.
Injuries to Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker and a lack of fitness for Laurent Koscielny meant that Arsenal began the new Premier League campaign at the weekend with a central defensive pairing of Calum Chambers and debutant Rob Holding.
Exposed, the Gunners were simply blown away by Liverpool in the space of only a few second half minutes. Boos rang around the Emirates with the score-line at 4-1 to the away side, with two late consolation goals only serving to make the final result a little more respectable.
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