Arsenal defender Pablo Mari edges closer to joining newly-promoted Serie A side Monza

Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, 28, is closing on a move to Monza in Italy.

The centre-back is keen on a return to Serie A having spent the second half of last season on loan at Udinese, who did not have an option to buy included in the deal.

Udinese remain keen on signing the Spaniard but Monza have now jumped to the front of the queue.

Reports suggest the club owned by Silvio Berlusconi are looking to finalise a loan deal with an obligation to buy – which would come into effect if they avoid relegation this season – within the next 48 hours.

Such an agreement would follow the structure of deals that they have struck for several players following their first ever promotion to the top flight of Italian football.

Hellas Verona are also interested in the former Flamengo centre-back, who is also said to have rejected a move to Fenerbahce and a reunion with Jorge Jesus in the last week. 

The centre-back – who turns 29 later this month – still has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Mari is keen on a Serie A return having spent the second half of last season on loan at Udinese

Mari joined Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Brazilian club Flamengo in January 2020 before the move was made permanent in the summer that year.

He has gone on to make 19 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, scoring just once in a 4-1 win against Rapid Vienna in last season’s Europa League.

The Spaniard played the full 90 minutes at the start of last season in the Premier League defeats by Brentford and Chelsea, while what looks likely to be his final Gunners appearance came in a 3-0 League Cup win against…