Arsenal advance in talks for key defensive target as midfield star leaves club
Arsenal are pushing ahead with plans to sign Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera as part of their defensive rebuild ahead of the new season.
The 20-year-old has emerged as the club’s preferred target in recent weeks, with Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta both keen to add depth and long-term quality to the back line.
Mosquera is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Spain, having been with Valencia since the age of 12. He made his senior debut in January 2022 and has already clocked up 90 appearances for the La Liga club, including 41 last season.
Remarkably, he played the full 90 minutes in 37 of Valencia’s 38 league matches in 2023/24, underlining his consistency and physical resilience.
A Spain U21 international, Mosquera is a tall, right-footed centre-back known for his composure on the ball and ability to read the game.
Berta, who tried to sign Mosquera when he was sporting director at Atletico Madrid, views him as ideal cover and competition for their established central pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
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The Gunners had previously shown interest in Juventus defender Dean Huijsen, but the Dutchman joined Real Madrid earlier this summer after a short loan spell at Bournemouth.
Valencia are under pressure to sell, with Mosquera’s contract expiring in 2026 and no renewal offer currently on the table.
The Spanish side risk losing him for free next summer, with the player’s camp making it clear they want to resolve his future this window. Arsenal's offer is believed to be close to €20m (£17m), including add-ons and a possible sell-on clause.
Fellow Premier League side Bournemouth are also interested in a possible deal, but Arsenal remain the frontrunners for Mosquera's signature.
Meanwhile, Lucien Agoume was among the names considered by Arsenal as a potential replacement for the outgoing Thomas Partey, but Arteta is understood to have prioritised a more Premier League-ready option. As a result, Brentford's Christian Norgaard emerged as the preferred choice.
The Brentford midfielder is set to undergo a medical in the coming days ahead of a move worth around £10 million (approximately $12.7 million), with personal terms not expected to be an issue. Partey, meanwhile, is set to leave the club when his contract expires on June 30.
Arteta's side have already wrapped up deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as part of an ambitious summer rebuild.