EPL

Pablo Mari arrives in London ahead of expected Arsenal move

Arsenal appears to be closing in on its first signing of Mikel Arteta's reign, with Pablo Mari set to arrive on loan from Flamengo.

Tom Webber
25 January, 2020 23:07 IST
Pablo Mari

Pablo Mari in action for Flamengo.   -  Getty Images

Tom Webber
25 January, 2020 23:07 IST

Flamengo defender Pablo Mari arrived in London ahead of an anticipated move to Arsenal.

Mari is expected to join the Gunners on loan with an option to buy – which is reportedly set at £7.5million – after arriving at Heathrow Airport with Arsenal technical director Edu on Saturday.

The 26-year-old is set to become Mikel Arteta's first signing since taking over as head coach in December.

Read: Arteta says this transfer window for Gunners is complicated

Mari joined Manchester City in 2016 but never played for the first team, leaving for Flamengo last July after loan stints at Girona, NAC Breda and Deportivo La Coruna.

The 26-year-old was a key figure under Jorge Jesus, who led the Rio de Janeiro giant to the Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores titles.

He also featured when Flamengo lost the Club World Cup final against Liverpool 1-0 after extra time.

Arsenal has been keen to bolster its defensive options following injuries to Calum Chambers, Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac.

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