Arsenal transfer target makes final decision on £17.3m move after rejected offer

Cristhian Mosquera has told Valencia that he has his heart set on joining Arsenal this summer after the La Liga outfit rebuffed an offer for the defender.

It emerged last week that the Gunners had seen an offer for Mosquera, 21, rejected by Valencia. But interest in the Spain youth international remains high with Arsenal still interested in the centre-back, who is also being courted by RB Leipzig.

Mosquera is in the final year of his contract, meaning Valencia are not in the strongest bargaining position amid interest from overseas. Las Provincas now claim that Valencia have offered Mosquera a contract extension to keep him at the club beyond this season.

But the defender has informed them he wants to join Arsenal.

Mosquera was initially keen on extending his contract with Valencia - before learning of Premier League interest. And their delay in tabling an offer has seemingly opened the door for Arsenal.

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Mosquera is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, who see the young defender as the ideal understudy to William Saliba.

While Mosquera is sold on a move to The Emirates, Arsenal will still have to pay a substantial fee to get a deal done. Valencia are understood to want £17.3million if they are to sanction Mosquera's dream switch to the Premier League.

A move for Mosquera would mark another significant addition to the Arsenal squad with plenty of substantial deals already in the pipeline.

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Martin Zubimendi, the Real Sociedad playmaker, is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player any day now after agreeing a move worth in excess of £50m. The Gunners are also in advanced talks with the Brentford captain, Christian Norgaard, too to further stock their midfield.

A move for a quality striker has always been Arsenal's top summer priority, though, with fresh reports claiming that talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres are now at an advanced stage.

Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been Arsenal's two top targets ahead of the new season with the former now seemingly the preferred option. A swoop for a left-sided forward, potentially Rodrygo of Real Madrid, is also something Arsenal want to do before the transfer window shuts at the end of next month.

There is growing belief that the Brazil international will become available, after falling down the pecking order under new Bernabeu boss Xabi Alonso.

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