Football

Arsenal transfer on brink of collapse as ‘disappointed’ Pablo Mari heads back to Brazil


Pablo Mari underwent a medical with Arsenal at the weekend (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s move for Pablo Mari is reportedly in serious jeopardy after the defender headed back to Brazil despite undergoing a medical with the Premier League giants.

Mikel Arteta has been keen to add a centre-back to his squad following Calum Chambers’ season-ending knee injury and Mari was identified as the club’s most realistic target this January.

Technical director Edu reached an agreement with Flamengo for Mari last week and the 26-year-old caught a flight to Heathrow on Saturday. An official announcement over Mari’s arrival was expected in the coming days.

It’s understood the Gunners had a deal in place to sign Mari on loan with a view to a permanent £7.5million move at the end of the season.

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However, according to The Daily Mail, discussions have broken down and Arsenal’s deal for the Spaniard is now on the brink of collapsing.

The report claims a ‘disappointed’ Mari has since made his way back home to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with just five days remaining of the January transfer window.

Arsenal have not given up hope of landing Mari, though, and talks are expected to pick up again, with the north London club desperate for defensive reinforcements before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Mari has headed back home to Brazil (Picture: Getty)

After landing in London at the weekend, Mari was clearly confident that Arsenal would wrap up the move as he spoke to reporters at Heathrow airport.

Asked whether he was excited to sign for Arsenal, Mari replied: ‘Yeah, of course!’

It’s believed Mari even said his goodbyes to Flamengo players and coaching staff ahead of his medical at Arsenal’s London Colney training base.

Mari was on Manchester City’s books from 2016 to 2019 but never made an appearance for the Premier League champions, heading out on loan to Girona, NAC and Deportivo La Coruna during that time.

Liverpool came up against Mari when facing Flamengo in the Club World Cup final last month.

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