‘Arsenal dealt Cristhian Mosquera blow despite agreed deal’
Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow in their attempts to sign Cristhian Mosquera despite the club’s agreeing a deal.
The Valencia defender has emerged as a key target for the Gunners recently amid their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi reducing.
The 20-year-old appeared 37 times in La Liga last season for Valencia, as the Spanish side finished 12th in the division.
Mosquera has been capped at every age group for Spain, aside from the senior team, but is also eligible to play for Colombia.
Contract offer puts Arteta back at square one
Valencia do not wish to sell Mosquera this summer and ESPN have reported that the club have opted to offer the Spaniard a new contract to tempt him to stay.
It comes just a week after Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Mosquera and negotiations had begun between the Gunners and Valencia.
The choice now looks to be in the hands of the player over whether he stays in Spain or moves to North London.
Arsenal are keen to complete a deal at around £15million.
Mosquera would be seen as competition for first choice centre-back duo Gabriel and William Saliba.
Waiting game as Mosquera ponders move
Football Insider verdict
With this latest development, Mikel Arteta can only wait and find out where the player decides he wants to play his football next season.
Mosquera came through the Valencia academy so has a close connection to the club, but they have not qualified for Europe next season and Arsenal could tempt the Spaniard with Champions League football.
| La Liga apperances | 82 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
Gabriel’s fresh new contract and Saliba’s exceptional form over the past three seasons does mean opportunities will be limited for Mosquera at centre-back if he moves to the Emirates.
The 20-year-old may find chances to play regularly at right-back, where he can also play and where Arsenal have had injury issues with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arteta though is continuing to bolster his squad with Mosquera seen as an upgrade on Jakub Kiwior, whose future could be uncertain if Mosquera joins.
Having a strong defence is the basis of this Arsenal team for Arteta and despite the need of a striker, defensive reinforcements are always joining.