Arsenal are close to adding a defensive reinforcement to their squad at the Emirates Stadium.
Flamengo defender Pablo Mari is in London to complete talks and a medical with the Gunners ahead of signing a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Should the move be completed, Mari will become Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta's first signing at the club, having made no secrets of his wish to strengthen the defence during the January transfer window.
Should Mari's loan move be successful, the move should be able to be made permanent in the summer.
But the new man won't be the only player who could come in and add to Arsenal's defensive ranks before the start of next season.
The Gunners signed central defender William Saliba from French side Saint-Etienne last summer, immediately sending him back on loan to his former club, where he is now playing his football.
Saliba has struggled with injury this season, but was named on the bench for Saturday's Ligue 1 game against Nimes Olympique.
Saint-Etienne have also had a change of manager, with former Leicester and Southampton boss Claude Puel taking up the role in October.
The Frenchman has previously worked with Harry Maguire and Virgil van Dijk, and has a reputation for working with young players.
As pointed out by French journalist Macky Diong, the manager has stayed behind to work one-on-one with players, including Saliba at Saint-Etienne.
The French boss stayed behind for almost half-an-hour working on one-to-one defending with the 18-year-old.
Saliba has played seven games in all competitions so far this season.
