Arsenal reject Pablo Mari wanted by Flamengo in January transfer with Brazilian defender outside of Mikel Arteta’s plans

LOSING Copa Libertadores finalists Flamengo are reportedly plotting a January transfer for the disqualified Gunners Pablo Mari.

NS Arsenal The defender has only started two Premier League games so far in this campaign.

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He is expected to ‘weigh his options’ if his gaming time does not improve in the coming weeks, according to football.london.

Mari .’s Old Club Flamengo interested in a move for centre-back, but would rather a loan agreement into a perpetual assignment.

One immediate obstacle, however, is the Brazilian team’s inability to pay the 28-year-old.

That means the Gunners will have to subsidize some of his reported £85,000-a-week wages.

A move to the Rio de Janeiro-based club will see him linked up with the former Arsenal centre-back David Luiz, who joined Flamengo in September as a freelance agent.

Mari herself joined the North London side from Flamengo, initially on loan, in January 2020.

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He then signed a permanent contract with the Gunners six months later in a deal worth £14m.

But he has only played 22 times for Arsenal during his time at the club and has hindered by trauma.

New partnership budding mid-summer signed Ben White and Gabriel means Mari is currently unpopular Mikel Arteta.

His only action in the Premier League this season has been the start of the opening two games of the season – both losses – against Brentford and Chelsea.

Mari was beaten by Rio Ferdinand in a 0-2 loss to the Blues for having become a ‘shame’ to the club.

He hasn’t even been on Arteta’s matchday squad for the last eight Prem games.

And his omission has caused the Spaniard to ponder his future.

In an interview last year, Mari said he wanted to stay in North London for ‘many more years’, however he is now said to be considering a move.

Before that, he said: “I’ve been at five clubs in the last four years.

“This is the life of a player. If you want to play and you want to improve [to get to a big club] then you need to move house every year.

“Perhaps when you find a club that suits you, then you can stay and improve with that club. I found myself here at Arsenal. It was a really good choice for me. .

“I want to stay here and improve as a player and as a person. I want to be here for many more years.”

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