European clubs are aware that Pablo Mari is available to leave Arsenal during the January transfer window, with the Gunners now open to offers for the out-of-favour centre-back.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report the Emirates Stadium natives are considering reforming Mikel Arteta’s squad this month. The north Londoners want to be aggressive in the sales and capitalise on any market opportunities as they arise.
Arsenal do not need sales to fund their spending, with the Gunners willing to dip into their cash reserves. But departures are possible for those out of Arteta’s plans if others arrive.
Among Arsenal’s aims for signings could include a new centre-forward and midfielder. The Emirates outfit wanted to bolster Arteta’s engine room regardless of Ainsley Maitland-Niles leaving on loan, plus Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny’s Africa Cup of Nations call-ups.
Arsenal open to Mari offers after outcast start to the season
Arsenal will listen to bids for Mari if any arrive as the Spaniard has endured an outcast start to the term. The 28-year-old has not played in the Premier League since losing to Chelsea on August 22. He started their first two games of the term with Gabriel Magalhaes injured.
Arteta kept Mari on the bench during the Gunners’ third, fourth and fifth top-flight fixtures. But he has only included his compatriot in one matchday squad since, against Norwich City.
Mari also made his third and most recent outing in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon on September 22. He did not sit on the bench against Leeds nor Sunderland.
European clubs are aware that Arsenal are open to offers for Mari now the January transfer window has opened. He still has two-and-a-half-years remaining on the £85k-a-week terms signed upon completing an £8m move from Flamengo in 2020 following his £4m loan spell.
Flamengo among Mari’s possible suitors as defender seeks January exit
Centre-half hungry clubs across Europe may approach Arsenal to discuss a transfer for Mari this month. He also wants to leave as the defender is unhappy with his lack of game time.
That’s according to Torcedores, who reported last month Mari was the subject of interest from teams in Russia and Ukraine. However, the Gunners outcast has no appetite to join a minor European league. Flamengo also weighed up taking him back to Brazil this January.
But Flamengo can only afford to cover half of his wage in a loan for the rest of the season. Arsenal Technical Director Edu is also not keen on Mari transferring back to South America.
Arsenal will surely want to remove Mari’s salary from their wage bill in the January transfer window, though. Despite earning Gabriel’s praise before, he is firmly out of Arteta’s plans.
“I see that [Mari] is a spectacular person and I see how much he supports me when I’m on the field,” Gabriel told ESPN Brazil in April of last year. “He’s always praising me, talking to me – during breaks, too. What he sees out there, in what I can improve and vice-versa.”
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