According to Spanish outlet AS, Arsenal defender Pablo Mari is a transfer target for Turkish giants Besiktas this summer.
The 27-year-old initially joined the Gunners on loan in January 2020 before making his move permanent last year. Injuries have been very cruel on Mari over the last 18 months, but whenever he’s fit, he has performed brilliantly.
The Spaniard, in his 18 months here, has played just 19 times for Arsenal. Injuries have clearly played a big part, but Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz have both been ahead of him in the pecking order at times, and that seems to have forced him to consider his options.
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Arsenal star Pablo Mari is strongly considering Besiktas move
The report claims that Mari is frustrated at Arsenal due to lack of minutes last season. Besiktas are keen to take advantage of the situation and want to sign him on a season-long loan this summer.
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Mari is strongly considering this offer, according to the report, and he is tempted. At Besiktas, he will play every game and the Turks will offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League as well, something Arsenal cannot.
That could potentially convince him to switch the famous red and white to dawn the black and white next season, but Arsenal shouldn’t even consider an offer from Besiktas or any other club for that matter.
The Insider’s View:
After David Luiz’s departure, Arsenal have just Gabriel Magalhaes and Mari as quality options at left centre-half. Gabi is arguably ahead of the Spaniard in the pecking order under Arteta, but we still need both of them.
Arsenal are on the verge of sending William Saliba out on loan again. Ben White is very likely to come in, but he is more suited to play on the right side of central defence, as are Rob Holding and Calum Chambers.
To make things worse, Gabriel is away on international duty to Brazil and reports from this morning have claimed that he has suffered a knee injury that is set to cost him the opportunity to play in the Olympics. The severity of the issue isn’t clear yet, but this should be a warning for Arsenal.
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We need two left-footed centre-halves in the team to maintain the balance of the side. Gabriel will be our first choice, but Mari, labelled as ‘spectacular‘ by the Brazilian, could be a very important player for us as well, and Arsenal should not even consider selling him this summer.
