Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino fears that it ‘will be difficult’ to strike a deal with Arsenal to keep Premier League loanee Pablo Mari in Italy, speaking to DAZN, translated by Tuttomercatoweb.
As the centre-back himself says, when asked about the potential of a long-term stay at the Serie A outfit a couple of weeks ago, the decision does not just rest upon him alone (Gazzetta dello Sport).
Mari has another two years left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are not going to merely give the former Manchester City youngster away, having spent nearly £7 million to sign him from Brazilian giants Flamengo in the summer of 2020.
And if the London giants are determined to recoup every penny of that investment, Udinese will have to part with a sum that would immediately propel Mari into their top ten biggest signings of all time.
“Mari is an Arsenal player,” Marino explains. “It is already uncommon for such a player to come to Udinese. Not because we don’t deserve it but because, in general, the path (players like Mari take) is the opposite.
“It will be difficult to keep him but we will try.”
Has Pablo Mari played his final game for Arsenal?
Given that Mari played just two Premier League games in the first half of the season – and none since being ragdolled by Romelu Lukaku in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea all the way back in August – it seems highly unlikely that the out-of-favour 28-year-old will be offered the opportunity to kick-start his Gunners career come the summer.
Especially with Gabriel Magalhaes, one of the few top-class left-sided centre-halves around, distancing himself from a potential move to La Liga giants Barcelona.
“At Arsenal, I haven’t had any luck,” Mari protets when looking back on his time in North London. “When I’ve been on the pitch, I think I’ve played at a very good level. In the end, there comes a point where you have to make decisions (about your future).
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
“Arteta is one of the best coaches I’ve come across. He helped me a lot to understand football better. It’s an idea very similar to (Pep) Guardiola’s, but with its nuances.
“Now, I have the opportunity to play in the fifth league in my sporting career. I hope it won’t be the last. It’s a pleasure to play in Serie A.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
