Arsenal have suffered a blow in their latest move to bring in another summer signing after talks with a player completely stalled, according to reports.
The Gunners have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks as they look to add to their squad over the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta’s side are seeking to improve on last season after a third consecutive second-placed finish in the Premier League and an impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals that was ended by the competition’s eventual winners PSG.
They have already been boosted by the signing of Martin Zubimendi – whose £60million transfer from Real Sociedad was confirmed on Sunday.
However, Arsenal have now suffered a fresh blow in their bid to add further depth to their squad elsewhere.
They have been looking at defensive cover for their first-choice centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel, who have established themselves as one of the league’s strongest partnerships in recent seasons.
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their latest move to bring in another summer signing
The Gunners have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks as they look to add to their squad over the summer transfer window
But their pursuit of Spain U21 international Cristian Mosquera appears to have hit a bump in the road.
According to The Mirror, talks between Arsenal and the Valencia defender have ‘completely stalled’ after the LaLiga side rejected an offer below his release clause – believed to be around £15million.
Mosquera, who recently played against England at the U21 European Championship for Spain, is in the final year of his contract, meaning Valencia may yet sell him.
They appear reluctant to do so, with Spanish media reporting that the club have offered him a contract extension to keep him at the club beyond this season.
Something will have to give in the saga, with Mosquera already making clear his desire to move to north London.
Mosquera’s camp have reportedly already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, which could make it even more difficult for Valencia to convince him to stay.
They could yet allow him to leave if Arsenal meet their valuation of the player, which is reportedly in excess of £20million.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly stepped up the club’s move for Viktor Gyokeres with face-to-face talks in Portugal.
Viktor Gyokeres appears to be closing in on a £70million move to Arsenal
Andrea Berta jetted to Portugal to accelerate the move and talks have been progressing
They are closing on Sporting Lisbon striker Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £70million.
Now, the move is accelerating, with Berta having jetted out to Portugal to sit down with the prolific forward, according to CNN Portugal.
They report that the former Atletico Madrid chief flew there last week for discussions with Sporting and it is unclear if or when he returned.
As Mail Sport reported, Gyokeres came back into focus after RB Leipzig refused to budge sufficiently in their valuation of Benjamin Sesko.
