Arsenal Close In on £17m Valencia Star Mosquera for Defensive Boost

Arteta is close to bagging another signing (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal are hopeful of signing Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera with a deal being discussed to bring him to the Emirates .

The Gunners are thought to have wrapped up a deal to sign Martin Zubimendi in midfield with deals also agreed to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta is also eager to enlist the services of another defender. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi was an option under consideration in north London but The Athletic now report  Mosquera is now their preferred target.

The 20-year-old, who was part of the Spain Under-21 squad that recently crashed out of the European Championships against England, made his senior debut in 2022.

Reports in May claimed Arsenal were hoping to wrap up a deal for around £17m.

Mosquera, who is also on the radar of both Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, has just one year remaining on his current deal at the Mestalla.

In addition to Guehi, Arsenal were also keen on Dean Huijsen following his thrilling campaign at Bournemouth, only for him to choose a move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal want to bring Cristhian Mosquera to north London (Picture: Getty Images)

The Gunners want Mosquera to come in and provide cover and competition for first-choice centre-half partnership William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Magalhaes picked up a season-ending hamstring injury in April with Jakub Kiwior replacing him for the season run-in. The Poland international has since been strongly linked with a return to Serie A to join AC Milan.

Mosquera played against England at the Under-21 Euros (Picture: Getty)

Jurrien Timber and Ben White, predominantly used on the right, can also play at centre-half along with Riccardo Calafiori, who joined the club from Bologna for £42million last summer.

Arsenal are desperate to sign a centre forward this summer having explored deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.