Udinese are set to sign ’s Pablo Mari this summer following a successful loan spell in Italy.
Mari, 28, joined the Serie A side in January after falling out-of-favour at the Emirates with manager Mikel Arteta.
At Udinese, the defender has performed well so far making 11 league starts with the club’s sporting director Pierpaolo Marino recently revealing his desire to keep the player beyond the end of the season.
According to , the Gunners are keen on making the deal happen as they hope to save over £7 million worth of performance-related bonuses in Mari’s contract.
Last January, Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte were reporting that the north Londoners are required to pay Flamengo, his former club, a bonus of €1million (£865,000) whenever Mari makes 10 appearances in the Premier League, limited at 80 displays.
The Spaniard has been a disappointment at Arsenal since signing from Flamengo in 2020.
Despite winning the FA Cup in his first campaign, Mari failed to hold down a regular starting place and, earlier this season, was heavily criticised for poor performances in the Gunners’ back-to-back league defeats against Brentford and Chelsea.
After being cast aside by Arteta, Mari was fourth in the pecking order behind Ben White, Gabriel and Rob Holding before his departure.
Speaking to Gazette dello Sport this month, Mari disclosed his desire to remain at Udinese next term despite being under contract at the Emirates until 2024.
He said: ‘I would like to stay in Italy. I’m very well at Udinese and I’d be happy to take the club even higher in the standings. Of course, I still have a two-year contract with Arsenal.’
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