The 23 year old German footballer has attracted the interest of the top two clubs of Spain, confirmed his agent.
The defender, who got a surprising World Cup call from Joachim L w last year, is a target of Real Madrid and Barcelona, his father and agent confirmed.
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“Yes, I have had contact with Real Madrid and also with Barcelona in regards to the January transfer window, as they can’t sign players now,” Ali Butut Mustafi told German newspaper Bild.
He added, “But Mustafi has a good contract at Valencia. It is a great club and he will play in the Champions League. If he is to move, everything must be perfect.”
Mustafi signed from U.C. Sampdoria on a five-year deal in August last year, rumoured to be for a 8 million.
Mustafi, who is of Albanian heritage and was about to be called up to the Albanian team after expressing his desire to play for the country in January last year, came through the youth academy at Bundesliga club Hamburg SV and had a stint at Everton, before joining Sampdoria in 2012. While he was at Everton, he played regularly for Germanya s U18, U19 and U20. He also won the U17 European Championship in 2009. David Moyes didn’t use his services in the senior team and Mustafi left Liverpool after 30 months without making a single senior appearance for the Toffees. He slowly established himself in the heart of Sampdoria’s defence, and went on to make over 50 appearances for the side before being bought by Valencia.
The centre back made 33 league appearances for the successful Valencia side last season and proved to be an extremely important part of their successful season.
Due to his time in England and Italy, Mustafi has not only become very good at the physical side of the game, ensuring he uses his height and stature to good effect, but also become a good reader of the game, thus showing good anticipation and applying his mind tactically.
Sergio Ramos’ possible Madrid departure could force Los Blancos to look at Mustafi. The side is already rumored to be in on wantaway defender Nicolas Otamendi. Los Che would be absolutely adament about not losing another important player and it is unlikely that the German shifts to another club just 12 months after spending a successful season at Valencia.