Arsenal have completed the signing of Pablo Mari on a permanent transfer from Flamengo, according to reports.
The defender was signed on loan from the Brazilian team in the January window as cover in defence, but has played just three games for the Gunners.
Mari started against Manchester City on Wednesday, but lasted only 24 minutes before he was substituted after suffering an ankle injury.
The defender will miss the rest of the rescheduled 2019/20 campaign due to the injury, but reports in Brazil claim the London side have taken up the option to sign Mari permanently.
Coluna Do Fla claim the deal will be completed and will cost Arsenal up to £14m.
Arsenal have already paid Flamengo a £4.5m loan fee and decided in January thag they would make the deal permanent in the summer window.
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Mari will be Arteta’s first permanent signing after being reduced to loan deals in the last transfer window.
The Spaniard could be one of the few summer signings with Arsenal chiefs telling Mikel Arteta the coronavirus pandemic will have a huge effect on their spending power in the market.
Despite the signing of Pablo Mari, Arsenal are still facing an injury crisis in defence after David Luiz was sent off during the 3-0 loss to Man City.
Luiz replaced Mari in the match, but he lasted only 25 minutes before he was shown a straight red card for pulling Riyad Mahrez.
