Barcelona will not be making a move to sign Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi football.london understands.
The German defender's contract at the Emirates will expire at the end of this season after he rejected the offer of an extension.
After originally establishing himself as a key part of Mikel Arteta 's first team plans upon the Spaniard's arrival one year ago, Mustafi has found game time hard to come by this season due to injury and the arrival of Gabriel in the summer.
As a result he is looking to leave the club soon and Spanish giants Barcelona were one of many clubs linked to his signature.
But football.london can now reveal that there is no interest on the part of La Blaugrana.
Ronald Koeman's side have struggled in the league this season and currently sit 5th in La Liga, eight points off leaders Atletico Madrid despite having played a game more.
After Gerard Pique sustained a knee ligament injury last month that could keep him out for up to five months, it is understood that they will be in the market for a central defender come January.
Given the COVID-related financial constraints currently on the Spanish giants - who currently have the highest wage bill in world football - it was thought that Mustafi, who would be available for a relatively low fee, would fit the bill.
But an internal Barcelona source confirmed '100%' that he won't be joining Barcelona. The German is understood to have been offered to La Blaugrana, but they are looking for a different profile of player.
This contrary to quotes that emerged on Wednesday claiming that Mustafi's agent was in Barcelona trying to broker a move for his client.
Emre Ozturk was pictured outside the Nou Camp in an Instagram story captioned: 'ready for a meeting.'
When later asked to explain the post he told Fox Sports journalist Fabian Zerche: 'I’m not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, whom we also represent.'
However, it now seems as though the five-time Champions League winners will be looking elsewhere to bolster their central defensive options, with Chelsea' Antonio Rudiger reported to be high on their list of targets.
