Flamengo Defender Mari In London For Arsenal medical

Flamengo defender Pablo Mari has arrived in London for a medical at Arsenal, with the club in talks with the Brazilian club to sign the defender on loan, according to a report by Sky Sports.

Arsenal are looking to sign Mari on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.

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The Spaniard signed a contract with Manchester City in 2016, but never made an appearance.

He went out on loan for three successive seasons to Girona, NAC and Deportivo La Coruna, before joining Flamengo on a permanent deal last summer.

The 26-year-old would become Mikel Arteta’s first signing since taking over as Arsenal’s head coach in December.

Mari featured in 22 of Flamengo’s 38 games as they won the Brazil’s Serie A, scoring twice as Flamengo finished 16 points clear of Santos and Palmeiras.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will have to pay £30m if they are to sign Ukrainian defender Mykola Matviyenko from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Matviyenko’s agent says the clubs are in talks about a deal for the 23-year-old, who has 18 months left on his contract.

Arsenal head coach Arteta has faced Matviyenko twice this season in the Champions League when he was assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Arsenal would prefer a loan deal over a permanent move.

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