Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal have agreed on a deal to let Pablo Mari leave on loan to Udinese until the end of the season.
The Spanish international joined the Emirates club on loan in 2020 and made the move permanent the following summer. Since then, he has been struggling for game time.
Mari has managed to make just two Premier League appearances this campaign. He was involved in the opening-day loss to Brentford and the home defeat to Chelsea. He has been in the squad only once since the end of September.
Several clubs have been eyeing a move for Mari in the January transfer window. However, with the Gunners missing a host of players due to Covid and injuries, the Spaniard was expected to play a part in the team’s defense. But, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Romano has tweeted that Mari will spend the rest of this season on loan with Udinese. The Serie A side have reached an agreement to sign him on loan, and the deal is set to be signed. He will join the Italians immediately, but there isn’t an option to buy at the end of the season.
Udinese have completed the agreement with Arsenal to sign Pablo Marí on loan until June. Deal set to be signed. 🤝🇪🇸 #AFC
Pablo Marí will join Udinese on straight loan – no buy option included. @DiMarzio
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 17, 2022
Arsenal Fever View:
It is shaping up to be an eventful transfer window for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta is looking to offload fringe players and with numerous players also linked with a move to the Emirates, it is going to be a busy few weeks before the window shuts.
Mari has slipped down the pecking order behind Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Rob Holding. This move gives him an opportunity to play regular football again. Since the loan deal is without an option to buy, Arteta could be hoping that regular football works in favor of the player.
The 28-year-old could return to Emirates and start competing for a spot in the lineup, or perhaps boost his market value before the summer. Either way, Arsenal seem to have a strategy in place here.
Meanwhile, the Gunners had the north London Derby rescheduled because of their inability to field enough players for the clash. They are just two points behind the fourth-placed West Ham. With a couple of games in hand, Arsenal are well and truly on the hunt for a Champions League spot.
Read More: Arsenal draw up Aubameyang plan before pushing for Dusan Vlahovic
