Arsenal are ready to make Pablo Mari's loan move a permanent one this summer.
The Spaniard joined from Flamengo until the end of the season but the Gunners were not obliged to purchase the defender.
However they will activate a £10m clause which allows them to sign him .
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his back four with conceding goals Arsenal's Achilles heel this season.
Mari has only made two appearances for the north London side but looks to have done enough to prove his worth.
His role as a left-sided central defender has furthered his case with Arteta keen to fulfil that position, reports the Athletic.
The Gunners boss however does not look as if he will pursue Athletic Bilbao centre-back Unai Nunez
The 23-year-old is valued at around £26m by the Basque side but AS understands that Arsenal do not have the financial capabilities to pursue such a deal.
Arteta will though have the bonus of welcoming William Saliba to the Emirates.
The French defender, who is highly-rated in his homeland, was signed by Unai Emery last summer but spent a further season at Saint Etienne.
Arteta's predecessor had his hands somewhat tied last summer due to his transfer budget.
The club-record signing of Nicolas Pepe will be paid in installments over several years and it looks as if the current Arsenal boss could face a similar struggle.
The Gunners could face a fourth year out of the Champions League and miss out on the riches that come with that.
Transfer outlay could therefore be affected and also be a deciding factor in whether they retain key players.
Doubts continue over the future of leading marksman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has been linked with moves elsewhere.
