Arsenal have reached a new agreement with Flamengo to sign Pablo Mari, according to reports in Brazil.
The Spanish defender appeared on course to secure his move over the weekend after he was spotted arriving in London with Arsenal’s technical director Edu.
Mari had a medical with Arsenal but the Gunners were unable to reach an agreement with Flamengo and the defender ended up travelling back to Brazil.
Flamengo were unhappy with Arsenal’s decision to change the terms of the transfer as they went from proposing a permanent deal to a loan move.
But according widespread reports in Brazil, Arsenal now found a resolution with Flamengo which will see Mari join the Gunners on loan for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal have agreed to pay a loan fee of €5 million (£4.2m) to sign Mari now and the deal includes the option to sign the 26-year-old permanently in the summer.
Brazilian outlet Globo reports that Mari is due to travel back to London on Wednesday to finalise his transfer.
The news comes after Flamengo confirmed the signing of Leo Pereira, who is a direct replacement for Mari, for around €7m (£5.9m).
Mari was signed by Manchester City in 2016 but did not make an appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side and was loaned out to Girona, Dutch side NAC Breda and Deportivo de La Coruna, who were playing in the Spanish second division.
Flamengo signed Mari last summer for around £1m and he played a key role in helping the Brazilian club win Serie A and the Copa Libertadores.
