Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Flamengo defender Pablo Mari, after a breakthrough in talks.
football.london understands the Spanish centre-back is travelling to London to complete a move to the Emirates, after a medical was completed over the weekend.
Mari is expected to join on loan until the end of the season, with Arsenal having the option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
The defender, who helped his Flamengo side win Brazil's Serie A title, was previously on the books of Manchester City after signing a deal in 2016.
And the 26-year-old has expressed his desire to speak to Pep Guardiola one day, after revealing that he has never met the Manchester City manager.
In an interview with The Athletic at the FIFA Club World Cup last month, Mari explained that he has never met City boss Guardiola or any first-team players, spending just a few days at the club to complete his medical.
“In my mind, I was moving to Manchester but I’d only been there once for my medical,” he explained.
“I signed for City in 2013 but I’ve never met Pep Guardiola or any of the first-team players.
"I’d love to one day speak to him because he’s one of the greatest ever coaches. And when I signed for City, I did so because I felt that one day, I could play for them.”
The Spaniard never made a senior appearance for Guardiola's side, and was sent out on loan to Girona, NAC Breda and Deportivo La Coruna, before joining Flamengo on a permanent deal last summer.
