Tuesday, January 28
Arsenal have stepped up talks to sign Spanish defender Pablo Mari from Brazilian Serie A club Flamengo after the ankle injury suffered by Shkrodan Mustafi on Monday night.
Pablo Mari travelled to Arsenal at the weekend for his medical and fans were expecting the official confirmation for his signing at the start of this week only for the transfer to suffer a setback after it was revealed that the two clubs are struggling to agree on a deal for the centre back who was previously on the payroll of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Pablo Mari left Manchester City to join Flamengo in a £1m deal last summer and he has become a key player for the Brazilians.
He won two major trophies at Flamengo in just six months.
Arsenal will have three fit central defenders only if the injury sustained by Mustafi during the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night is serious.
He was stretchered off during the game as a result of the ankle injury as the Gunners secured their place in the fifth round via the 2-1 away win over the Cherries.
David Luiz, Sokratis Papasthathopoulos and Rob Holding are the only fit centre backs at Arsenal.
Sunday, January 26
Pablo Mari wishes to speak with Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
Pablo Mari revealed that he has never met with Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola and he expresses his desire to speak with him one day.
Saturday, January 25
Flamengo defender Pablo Mari is expected in London this weekend for his Arsenal medical after the two clubs agreed for the player to move back to the Premier League.
According to Arsenal correspondent for Goal Charles Watts, Pablo Mari will join the Gunners on loan for the remainder of this season with the option of a permanent transfer available this summer when his loan period at the Emirates Stadium comes to an end.
Pablo Mari was on the books at Premier League champions Manchester City for three years before his exit last summer.
The 26-year-old Spanish center-back was sent on loan to three different clubs during his time at Manchester City as he failed to register an appearance for the Citizens during his time with the club.
He was first sent on loan to feeder club Girona in Spain and then Dutch top-flight side NAC Breda before ending up at Deportivo La Coruna also in his native Spain.
Pablo Mari left Manchester City for Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A at the start of this season for just £1m and went on to become a key player for the Brazilians whom he helped to win both the COPA Libertadores title and the league title.
