LONDON. — From no major signings in three months to on the verge of completing two in the same day Arsene Wenger finally opens his secret transfer vault. Arsenal have agreed a fee with Valencia for central defender Shkodran Mustafi for £35 million after the two clubs finally came to an agreement. It comes after Arsenal earlier in the day triggered the release clause of Lucas Perez Martinez for £17 million from Deportivo La Coruna. Wenger insisted he was ready to spend the money after fans vented their frustrations towards the manager at both their opening two games in the Premier League which has seen them pick up only ONE point.

Mustafi and Lucas were expected in London yesterday for medicals and if they are completed in time they could be in line to face Watford away from home today.

Valencia have left Mustafi out of their Matchday squad to face Eibar this weekend with the World Cup winner closing in on a move to Arsenal. The 24-year-old central defender has been the subject of on-off interest from the Gunners this summer, but by waiting until the end of the window Arsenal will have to pay well over the £21 million they were quoted in July.

A fee closer to £35 million is now expected to be paid for the German and Valencia boss Pako Ayestarán has admitted that Mustafi is close to leaving and that Deportivo La Coruña defender Sidnei will replace him.

“A week ago the offer wasn’t enough to get him, but now the offer is considerable. We have an adequate replacement.”

Perez is also in London to complete his move to Arsenal. Wenger is set to sign the Spanish forward for £17 million — even though he was turned down by the Gunners one month ago — and touched down in the capital on Thursday night to finalise a deal.

The Deportivo La Coruna striker has been watched repeatedly by the north London club, but in July they knocked back the chance to sign him.

And Wenger yesterday claimed Arsenal are “99 per cent” certain to do big business in the transfer market.

Gunners boss Wenger is closing in on a £50 million double deal for Deportivo La Coruna striker Perez and Valencia defender Mustafi.

But Wenger admitted he has found this summer his hardest ever transfer window as the deals look set to go to the wire.

“I’m 99 percent confident that we will make a signing,” said Wenger. “I’m more optimistic than before, but I can’t announce anything yet.

“Honestly, I expected it to be easier than ever but it looks like it will be harder than ever. It will be frenetic in the next three days. I’m happy when our supporters are happy but my focus is on strengthening the squad in the right way.”

The Gunners boss was then asked if fans could expect any more signings on top of Perez and Mustafi, which he quickly denied.

“We have a big squad, we cannot have more players anyway,” Wenger replied.

Arsenal have already signed Granit Xhaka (£34 million), Rob Holding (£2 million), Kelechi Nwakali (£3 million) and Takuma Asano (£800 000), but the captures of Perez and Mustafi will be met with relief from fans.

Wenger also suggested Calum Chambers could go out on loan with the impending arrival of Mustafi.

“His future is not affected,” said Wenger. “But he could go out on loan.”

Wenger answered criticism from Wales boss Chris Coleman who questioned why Aaron Ramsey played and other Euro 2016 stars were rested. Coleman was annoyed as Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury and is out of the Wales squad.

“Because he didn’t play the final or the semi-final,” said Wenger when asked why Ramsey was played in the season opener against Liverpool.

Wenger claimed Arsenal’s Champions League draw will be tough after they were paired with Paris Saint Germain, Basel and Ludogorets.

“We start in Paris so that will be an interesting test,” said Wenger. “We don’t know too much on Ludogorets at this stage, but Basel we will have to be cautious.

Arsenal have the same squad, but may be tempted to start with Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil in today’s match at Watford.

Arsenal have been desperate for a striker and a defender and now finally look to have found the players Wenger believes will help them challenge for the Premier League title.

With Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny, Mustafi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas, Wenger will be confident he can finally end his sides wait for a first title win in 12 years. — The Mirror.

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