Hellas Verona have reportedly approached Arsenal with an offer for out-of-favour centre-back Pablo Mari.
The 28-year-old seemingly does not have a future at the Emirates after being left out of the Gunners' squad for their opening Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Friday.
Mari was involved in Arsenal's pre-season friendlies after returning from his loan spell at Udinese but is now widely expected to leave before the transfer window shuts.
The Spaniard enjoyed a productive stint at Udinese, who did not possess an option or obligation to make the deal permanent, but a return to Italy has been strongly mooted.
Newly-promoted Serie A side Monza are said to be at the head of the queue to sign Mari, but the Biancorossi will supposedly face competition from their Calcio rivals for his signature.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Hellas Verona are offering to take Mari off of Arsenal's hands permanently, which could give the club an advantage in negotiations.
Monza are said to want the former Flamengo man on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy, which would be triggered if they manage to avoid relegation in the 2022-23 season.
Romano adds that Arsenal and Mari will soon come to a decision on the Spaniard's next career move, but he will "100%" leave the North London club this summer.
During his time at Udinese, Mari scored twice in 15 Serie A appearances and affirmed that he would be prepared to continue in Italy while featuring regularly for Le Zebrette.
"When I arrived in January, I had a clear and precise idea. I told the coach and [owner] Gino Pozzo that I was coming to play. But I realized that I had to earn the job day after day, workout after workout. [Head coach] Cioffi was the first who welcomed me, well, here," Mari told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
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"It's the right league for me. Very tactical. I try to bring the attacker towards me. I really like having the ball and here it can be done and then there is the battle and I like having a battle on the pitch. I would like to stay in Italy.
"Of course, I still have a two-year contract with Arsenal. I've resumed playing continuously after the operation on my left ankle where I was out for five months."
Mari has one goal to boast from 22 appearances in an Arsenal shirt since first joining on loan in January 2020, and he also has an FA Cup winners' medal to show from his time in North London.
The Spaniard is set to follow fellow centre-backs Dan Ballard and Dinos Mavropanos out of the exit door this summer, as well as Matteo Guendouzi and Alexandre Lacazette following their permanent returns to France.
Lucas Torreira, Hector Bellerin and Alex Runarsson are among those who are also expected to leave, and Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his side are still in the market for new arrivals.
Ben Knapton
