Arsenal have completed a loan deal for Pablo Mari - and have now got their sights on Southampton ’s Cedric Soares.
Spanish centre half Mari, 26, is joining Arsenal until the summer when they will have an option to sign him permanently from Flamengo in a £10m switch.
But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta also wants to strengthen his full back options and Portugal international Cedric, 28 - who is a free agent this summer - could also move to the Emirates before the deadline.
It is understood Arsenal have got other full back options, they also are still exploring one other potential deal, but Cedric is now in pole position as he could arrive for a low fee of around £5m and can play on both the left and right.
Kieran Tierney is a long term injury worry at left back while Hector Bellerin has also been a concern as he has come back from a knee injury. But it is still a surprise move for Cedric as he would be free in the summer.
Arsenal have been keen to buy reinforcements in central defence and much-travelled Mari is now coming in with the club confident he will settle in well enough to become a permanent move.
Mari has been outstanding in Flamengo’s recent success, scouring reports suggest he can fit into Arteta’s pressing game and now will have a chance to establish himself at a top club.
Mari said: “The conversations started a couple of weeks ago. Arsenal told us that they were interested. We’d just won everything with Flamengo – I won the league and the Copa Libertadores and was also named best centre-back in America, so that will have helped Arsenal notice me.
“It’s a massive opportunity for me to come to England, which is the best league in the world right now. Being able to play in this league and having the opportunity to play for Arsenal is incredible, so I’m really looking forward to wearing the shirt as soon as possible. I want to help my team to win matches and give my fans something to celebrate.”
Arsenal technical director Edu added: “Pablo is an experienced player who will provide us with additional defensive quality.
“We have been monitoring Pablo’s career for a while and we are very pleased to have reached agreement with Flamengo for him to join us initially until the end of our season. Together with Mikel and his coaching team, we are all looking forward to seeing Pablo in an Arsenal shirt.”
