Arsenal and AC Monza have reportedly reached an agreement for the transfer of Pablo Mari on loan with an obligation to buy with certain conditions.
According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Monza and Arsenal have reached an agreement over a loan deal for Pablo Mari. The newly-promoted Serie A club will have to purchase the Spanish centre-back outright if they remain in the Italian top flight next season.
Arsenal have been busy offloading many unwanted players and are clearing up space in the squad. The idea is to bring the number of players to an optimal level and not carry a large squad through the campaign. Having allowed a few personnel to depart, Pablo Mari is the next in line.
The Spanish defender was one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings as the Arsenal manager. The Spanish centre-back came with a considerable reputation following some impressive performances for Brazilian outfit Flamengo and maintained composure in some early displays for the Gunners.
However, injury problems and a loss in form prevented him from cementing a solid position on the team. Mari was also part of the team that lost back-to-back games at the start of last season. But following those horrendous performances, Arteta virtually refused to pick him for even cup games.
Arsenal are set to complete another outgoing after Lucas Torreira. Pablo Marí leaves the club and joins Italian Serie A side Monza, full agreement now reached – it’s done. ?? #AFC
Pablo Marì leaves on loan deal with obligation to buy if Monza will remain in Serie A. pic.twitter.com/7kCeWAbhP4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2022
Last January, the Gunners sent Mari on loan to Udinese, where he had a solid finish for the latter half of the season. While the Serie A club were initially eager to sign him, the asking price set by Arsenal may have played a role in them cooling their interest.
Many Serie A clubs had recognised his value in the league and have wanted to sign Mari in this window. However, AC Monza have emerged as the front runner for Mari’s signature. The Serie A newcomers want to create a squad of experienced professionals to help them stay up beyond the current campaign.
Mari is garnering interest from Turkey, but he is reportedly open to returning to Italy, with Monza his preferred destination. The Serie A new boys are now set to sign him on a year-long loan deal, with an obligation to purchase the defender if they avoid relegation in the 2022/23 season.
The obligation clause is something both clubs have agreed upon. Hellas Verona also made a late offer for Mari, but the Spanish defender is now set to join Monza in the coming days.
Mari will follow Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Folarin Balogun as recent departures, although Balogun is just out on a dry loan. Arsenal continue to work towards finding solutions for other unwanted players like Hector Bellerin and Runar Alex Runarsson before the window shuts.
