A Flamengo director has claimed that Arsenal moved the goalposts in the deal to sign Pablo Mari to the Emirates, with the transfer now in serious doubt.
Mari arrived in London on Saturday for his medical after the gunners technical director Edu Gaspar had agreed a deal with Flamengo to sign him on loan with an option to make it a full transfer.
No problems were anticipated but the defender is now back in Brazil after a late hitch. A Flamengo director said: ‘We expect him at Ninho do Urubu this afternoon (to start pre-season). We had agreed to sell him for a fee, he arrived in London, Arsenal changed (the terms). Flamengo is a serious club.’
According to reports, Mari had his medical and was set to sign with friends even congratulating him on his transfer move but talks have now stalled at the final stage.
A disappointed Pablo Mari is now heading back to Rio de Janeiro. Negotiations are still ongoing between both teams though Arsenal are also having to consider new targets.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is preparing his team to face Bournemouth in the FA Cup today and was hopeful of getting the much needed reinforcements for his defence.
The 26-year-old was a key part of Flamengo’s double-winning campaign in 2019, helping the Brazilian team to the league title and Copa Libertadores win.
In fact, the Spaniard’s last appearance came in the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing 1-0 to Premier League side Liverpool after extra-time.
He signed for Flamengo in the summer of 2019 after failing to make a single under Guardiola at the Etihad.
Mari was sent out on loan to three different teams after arriving at City, spending a year each at Girona, NAC and Deportivo La Coruna.
