Ornstein confirms Arsenal centre-back deal, one more possible

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Pablo Mari from Flamengo after a breakthrough in talks on Tuesday night, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Ornstein confirmed the 26-year-old will arrive from Flamengo centre-back will arrive on an initial loan – thought to be in the region of £4million – with the option to buy in the summer with further add-ons.

He will fulfill Arteta’s request for a left-footed centre-back, and Ornstein claimed one more loan deal ‘could’ be fone before the end of the transfer window.

Flamengo gave him permission to travel back to London and announced late on Tuesday night that they had confirmed the signing of Athletico Paranaense defender Leo Pereira for £5.9m as his replacement.

The former Manchester City defender had flown to London last Saturday with Arsenal’s Edu Gaspar and had his medical only for Flamengo to change their demands on the amount of money that was paid up front.

Mari was forced to return to Rio de Janeiro on Monday for the start of pre season training but failed to report as he pushed to revive his dream move.