Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari has touched down in Italy ahead of his transfer to Serie A side Monza.
The centre-back has slipped down to fifth in the pecking order at the Emirates behind William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Rob Holding and is expected to leave the club this summer.
Mari did feature under Mikel Arteta in pre-season but was left out of the squad to face Crystal Palace in last week's opening 2-0 Premier League win as the Gunners negotiate his departure.
Udinese took Mari on loan for the second half of the 2021-22 season, during which he enjoyed an impressive few months with two goals in 15 Serie A appearances.
Le Zebrette did not possess the option to sign the Spaniard permanently, but he affirmed that he would be interested in a permanent return to Italy, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: "When I arrived in January, I had a clear and precise idea.
"I told the coach and [owner] Gino Pozzo that I was coming to play. But I realized that I had to earn the job day after day, workout after workout. [Head coach] Cioffi was the first who welcomed me, well, here.
"It's the right league for me. Very tactical. I try to bring the attacker towards me. I really like having the ball and here it can be done and then there is the battle and I like having a battle on the pitch. I would like to stay in Italy.
"Of course, I still have a two-year contract with Arsenal. I've resumed playing continuously after the operation on my left ankle where I was out for five months."
Monza and Hellas Verona are reported to have been battling one another for Mari's signature, and the former Flamengo man was also briefly linked with a move to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.
Mari has now seemingly settled on Monza for his next destination, and he was pictured at a Milan airport by journalist Marco Bovicelli on Wednesday afternoon.
Mari was seen entering a taxi as he prepares to undergo his medical with the newly-promoted Serie A outfit, who will sign the 28-year-old on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy if they avoid relegation.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano adds that Arsenal will receive €5m (£4.2m) for Mari's signature if his permanent clause is triggered, and he leaves North London two-and-a-half years after initially joining from Flamengo on loan in January 2020.
The Copa Libertadores winner has scored one goal in 22 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions and was a part of their 2019-20 FA Cup-winning squad, although he missed the final against Chelsea due to an ankle injury.
Mari would follow Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi, Dinos Mavropanos, Bernd Leno and Lucas Torreira out of the Emirates exit door this summer, with the latter's £5.5m move to Galatasaray being confirmed on Monday.
Mari's fellow defender and compatriot Hector Bellerin could be the next name on the chopping block, and the 27-year-old's agent is reportedly negotiating a contract termination with Arsenal to allow his client to return to Real Betis on a free transfer. body check tags ::
