Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are inches away fromcompleting a £35m deal for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, butthe Mirroris reporting the Frenchman was eyeing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen centre-half Omer Toprak when negotiations stalled.
Arsenal and Leverkusen reportedly held talks about a deal, but a fee could not be agreed, leaving the Premier League club to renew their attempts to land the Germany international.
Toprak has played for Leverkusen since 2011 and although he is considered a talented and experienced defender, Mustafi is seen as the most attractive target.
The Gunners are set to pay around £35m for Mustafi, while they are also close to completing a £17m deal for Deportivo striker Lucas Perez, bringing the club's spending this summer to around £100m.
Valencia boss Pako Ayestarán appeared to confirm Mustafi's departure from his club was imminent: "A week ago the offer wasn't enough to get him but now the offer is considerable."
Wenger said that the deals are now just a case of finalising the paperwork before an official announcement being made next week.
Wenger on Mustafi and Lucas Perez: They've both had medicals but we need to complete the paperwork�#WFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/lEvVptAJq9
"I think they should go through, both of them," Wenger told a news conference. "We have to finish the paperwork. I don't know exactly when we will announce it. But I think it will be announced early next week."
Wenger added to Sky Sports: "We have bought two players -- Mustafi and Perez. They will integrate into the team now and we will help them join the squad.
"We had to work very hard to get the signings done. We have not got any plans for anyone else now."
Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal have signed Shkodran Mustafi & Lucas Perez https://t.co/ft5lcGIANR #AFC pic.twitter.com/R96KNB88Z8