“It will be difficult” – Director wants Arsenal player next season, will make effort for deal

Arsenal signed Pablo Mari from Flamengo in 2020, in a move which initially started off on a loan basis.

The Spaniard wasn’t able to convince for the Gunners, and was subsequently allowed to join Udinese on loan in January of this year. Mari is getting what he will have wanted from the move, with him playing in 11 Serie A matches so far and only missing a game through a red card suspension.

His loan deal lasts until the end of the season, and his contract with Arsenal runs until June 2024.

Udinese are happy with Mari and want to keep him around on a longer term basis. The most likely scenario is them asking for an extension of the loan agreement, rather than wanting to pay a transfer fee to the London club.

Pierpaolo Marino, the Italian club’s sporting director, has been quoted by Tutto Udinese as saying: “Mari is an Arsenal player, it is already unusual for such a player to come to Udinese, not because we don’t deserve it, but because in general the path is the opposite. It will be difficult to keep him, but we will try.”

Given it’s unlikely Mikel Arteta sees a future for Mari in his team, Arsenal will surely prioritise a permanent exit this summer, and that’s probably why Udinese know it will be so difficult for them to secure a deal.