Arsenal are set to secure a summer transfer windfall through the sale of defender Pablo Mari to Serie A side Monza, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Mari joined the newly-promoted Italian club at the beginning of the season on a temporary basis from the Gunners, having played just two Premier League games in the previous campaign for Mikel Arteta's side.
The Spanish defender was initially brought to the club during Arteta's first transfer window as manager, earning the accolade of being his first signing.
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But that didn't improve his prospects of starting games as his time at the Emirates Stadium wore on, and speaking last year, he detailed talks with Arteta that convinced him to temporarily leave the club at the beginning of 2022 to join Udinese.
He explained (quotes via ESPN): "[Arteta said] the plan in the next six months until June is going to be the same.
"I can play, of course, because maybe other centre-backs get injured, there can be a red card or yellow cards, but it is going to be one, two, maximum three or four games. I don't want that for me."
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After that loan spell ended and his Monza stint began, Mari quickly became a key member of Raffaele Palladino's side upon his arrival, starting seven of the first eight games he was available for.
But in October, he was the victim of a stabbing inside an Italian supermarket, and was hospitalised.
After his return to action in December, Mari has featured in every game in all competitions, and has helped to guide Monza to Serie A safety - which has earned him a permanent deal.
Arsenal defender set for exit
According to Goal, Arsenal inserted a mandatory buy clause in Mari's loan contract with Monza, based around two conditions.
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The first was dependent on the 29-year-old playing at least 50 per cent of the side's games - which he has done. Therefore, if Monza avoided relegation, Mari would become a permanent player for the club.
After Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Roma, Palladino's side are officially safe from relegation. And Fabrizio Romano has stated that, with personal terms already agreed between club and player, a deal is 'done' for Mari to join Monza.
He adds that the Gunners will receive a fee of £6 million for the defender, which will no doubt come in handy when Arteta attempts to secure key transfer targets for the club this summer.
Romano wrote: "Arsenal are set to receive £6m fee for Pablo Mari as his transfer to Serie A side Monza will be made permanent.
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"Personal terms already agreed. It's done and sealed."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy / AP Photo/Jon Super / Action Foto Sport/NurPhotoTopics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers, Fabrizio Romano