Arsenal are expected to announce the signing of Pablo Mari in the coming days.
The Spanish defender arrived in London on Saturday afternoon for further talks with the Gunners and to complete a medical with the north London outfit.
Mari would become Mikel Arteta's first signing as Gunners head coach with the central defender set to sign terms on a loan with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer.
The 26-year-old was spotted with Arsenal technical director Edu on Friday night with the Gunners hierarchy having stepped up their pursuit for defensive reinforcements this month after Calum Chambers suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Mari actually has experience in England already, having signed for Manchester City in 2016.
But he never played a first team game and revealed in an interview with The Athletic last month that the only time he had been in England was for the medical at the Etihad.
The centre-back enjoyed great success in Brazil, winning both the league and Copa Libertadores and earning high praise for his performance in the Club World Cup against Liverpool.
So what will he offer Arsenal?
Here's what he said about his time in England during that interview with The Athletic: "In my mind, I was moving to Manchester but I’d only been there once for my medical.
"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."
