Arsenal have signed Pablo Mari on a permanent transfer from Flamengo, according to reports. The centre-back was signed on loan from the Brazilian side in January as cover in defence, but has featured just three times for the Gunners before injury against Manchester City.
Mari started against Manchester City on Wednesday night, but lasted just 24 minutes before hobbling off with an ankle injury. The defender will miss the rest of the rescheduled 2019/20 season due to the injury against Manchester City on Wednesday, but reports in Brazil claim Arsenal have taken up the option to sign Mari permanently.
Coluna Do Fla say the deal is completely and will cost the Gunners up to £14m. Arsenal have already paid Flamengo a £4.5m loan fee and decided in January they would make the deal permanent in the summer.
Mari is Arteta’s first permanent signing after being reduced to loan deals last January. Despite the signing of Mari, Arsenal are facing an injury crisis in defence after David Luiz was sent off during the defeat to Manchester City.
Luiz replaced Mari in the game, but he last for just 25 minutes before he was shown a straight red card for giving away a penalty.
