Arsenal have agreed a deal with Valencia worth an initial £13m plus add-ons for defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Personal terms on a five-year deal have also been agreed in principle. Mosquera is expected to fly into the UK in the next 24-48 hours for a medical and to finalise the move.
Arsenal are hopeful all will be sorted in time for Mosquera to be part of the squad that flies out to Asia for the club’s pre-season tour on Saturday.
Mosquera, 21, has told Marca that while “Valencia is my home and always will be,” he is set to leave.
“I arrived when I was 12, and now I’m leaving as a grown man,” he said, with the Spanish publication stating he said goodbye to his teammates on Monday.
“I’m a little sad because I’ve been here my whole life, but decisions in football are like that. Now, a new era begins.”
Mosquera did not specify which club he was joining but added: “It’s exciting, but it’s also sad.”
The Spain youth international has made 73 LaLiga appearances in the last two seasons and Arsenal are interested in defensive cover for William Saliba and Gabriel.
Arsenal have already wrapped up the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Nørgaard and Martín Zubimendi this summer and are close to bringing in Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
