The Spanish center-back had undergone a medical but has now been recalled to Brazil.

Arsenal were expected to have completed the signing of Pablo Mari from Flamengo by now. However, a last-minute change of events now has that deal on the brink of collapsing. 

The Spanish center-back, having won the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian top-flight title, was pictured arriving in London with Gunners technical director Edu ahead of a medical. At that time, it was reported that the north London giants agreed on a loan deal with his South American employers with the option to buy for $9.8M next summer.

However, that does not appear to be the case. A Flamengo director claims that the two clubs agreed on a sale but the Premier League outfit changed the terms afterward. As a result, the move is now under serious doubt, with Mengao calling the 26-year-old back to Rio de Janeiro.

“We expect him at Ninho do Urubu this afternoon (to start pre-season),” the Flamengo official stated, as per Daily Mail.

“We had agreed to sell him for a fee, he arrived in London, Arsenal changed (the terms). Flamengo is a serious club.”

Word coming out of Arsenal is that the medical took place but talks have stalled at the final hurdle. Mari was excited to be joining the Gunners but is now headed back to Brazil.

It remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached after this incident. Arteta is in need of a center-back given the injury to Calum Chambers and with Mari playing a crucial role in Flamengo’s double last season, he could have been the defender they needed.