Arsenal agreed to sign Pablo Mari for £7.5m… then told Flamengo they couldn’t afford the transfer
Arsenal's struggles in the transfer market continued on Monday as they reportedly pulled out of a deal to sign Flamengo defender Pablo Mari - because they realised they couldn't afford him!
According to Coluna do Fla, Emirates chiefs were close to finalising a deal for the centre-back, only to realise they didn’t have the £7.5million (€9m) they needed to pay to the Brazilian club.
They allegedly went and told Flamengo they couldn't afford the deal - so he began the long journey back to Brazil with the transfer off.
Mari, who played for Man City from 2016-2019 but did not make an appearance, arrived in London on Saturday to undergo a medical at the club ahead of his proposed transfer.
However, the Gunners quickly altered the terms of the lined up deal and Flamengo refused to entertain such actions.
"We expect [Mari] at Ninho do Urubu this afternoon [to start pre-season]," said a club director. "We had agreed to sell him for a fee, he arrived in London, Arsenal changed [the terms]. Flamengo is a serious club."
The 26-year-old was on the verge of signing his contract and it is believed friends even congratulated him on his move before the deal collapsed at the final stage.
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Mari is now heading back to Brazil and is said to be 'disappointed' the move didn't materialise, with Mikel Arteta now having to consider new targets.
The Spanish defender was an imperious figure for Flamengo in their double-winning season of 2019, helping them to the league title and a Copa Libertadores triumph.
His last appearance for the Brazilian Serie A outfit came in the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing 1-0 to Liverpool after extra-time.