Arsenal are closing in on their first signing of the January window.
Football.london revealed on Saturday morning that the Gunners are working on a loan deal for Flamengo defender Pablo Mari, with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer transfer window.
The deal inched closer after the 26-year-old touched down in London as he briefly spoke with Goal.com to get a message across to Arsenal supporters.
Asked if he's excited to join the Gunners, Mari had a three word response: "Yes of course."
Whilst many followers of English football might not be too familiar with Mari, he has been on the books at Manchester City.
An arrival in Manchester in the same summer which Pep Guardiola officially started work at the Etihad Stadium - but he never made an appearance for the reigning Premier League champions.
Whilst contracted to City, Mari enjoyed loan spells at Girono, NAC Breda and Deportivo La Coruna - with the latter proving to be the most fruitful as he was ever-present in the league.
More recently Mari came up against Premier League opposition in the shape of Liverpool.
Last month saw Flamengo lose 1-0 to Jurgen Klopp's side in the FIFA Club World Cup championship final as an extra-time goal from Roberto Firmino broke the Brazilian club's hearts.
Mari played the entire 120 minutes and often did battle with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
And thanks to @VipArsenal on Twitter, there's a video clip of the Spaniard 'pocketing' the Reds duo.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has insisted he will only dip into the market for quality players.
"At the moment I am 50/50 because this transfer [window] is very complicated and I only want to bring somebody in if I'm convinced he can really improve the level that we have," he said in his pre-Bournemouth press conference.
So it would appear that Mari fits the bill.
