Arsenal are set to announce the signing of Cristhian Mosquera after images of his first interview with the club were mistakenly uploaded onto the internet on Friday night
Arsenal confirmed their fourth summer signing on Friday night in the shape of £52million Noni Madueke. And number five is not just on its way – it’s already happened.
The Gunners are poised to unveil new centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as their next arrival. The defender is joining from Valencia in a deal that could reach £16.5million.
The Spanish side had initially been keen for a deal to reach £25m, while Arsenal initially made an offer worth £12m. Eventually the two clubs reached a compromise – with Mosquera only having a year left on his deal certainly working in Arsenal’s favour.
Identified as an ideal back up for first choice duo William Saliba and Gabriel, Mosquera arrived in England this week to finalise his move. And it appears to be done and dusted – with images from Mosquera’s welcome interview being leaked on Friday evening.
The snaps had briefly been uploaded to Getty Images, before being removed from the platform. But screenshots from the site were swiftly taken and uploaded onto social media.
READ MORE: Noni Madueke’s first words as an Arsenal player as new squad number revealedREAD MORE: Departing Arsenal star says he finally feels ‘free’ after agreeing shock exit
Mosquera spoke about leaving Valencia when he left the club’s training ground on Tuesday morning. Leaning out of his car window, Mosquera said: “Valencia is my home and it always will be. I arrived when I was 12 and now I am leaving as a grown man.
“[I am] a little sad because [I have] been here [my] whole life, but decisions in football are like that. Now a new era begins.”
Asked if he could confirm that he was joining Arsenal, the defender replied: “I prefer the club to talk first and then whatever happens, it will happen. It’s exciting but it’s also sad.”
Valencia had been keen to keep Mosquera on their books with a new contract, but talks hit a dead end, paving the way for Arsenal to swoop.
The player was reluctant to agree to a large release clause, concerned it could block future transfers.
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