What Arsenal actually paid for Pablo Mari revealed

Watching Edu talking to Pablo Mari in Rio de Janeiro’s Galaeo airport felt like an old school transfer throwback, before the days of everything being immediately leaked via a journalist on social media. Even still, the transfer was a surprising one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta made it abundantly clear that a left-footed central defender was needed in the 2020 January transfer window, and with options limited across Europe both financially and viably, Edu used his contacts in Brazil to snare Pablo Mari from Flamengo.

A left-field choice by every admission, Mari’s dabbles in the Spanish Segunda División hardly presented the stirring CV that was going to get fans excited. On top of that, the confusion over how much Arsenal would pay for his services spiced up the conversation.

Figures were flung about regarding loan fees, installment payments and obligatory contributions, with the total outlay ranging from £4m up to £14m.

What Arsenal actually paid to sign Pablo Mari from Flamengo revealed

Now, as per Brazilian journalist Venê Casagrande, Flamengo’s financial statements reveal that the Rubro-Negro received £6.8m (€8m) in total from the Gunners for the central defender.

Furthermore, it’s stated that Arsenal signed him on an initial loan deal in order to disguise the sale, which would have brought up issues with Financial Fair Play. It’s unsure how that sum would’ve breached FFP rules.

Nonetheless, credit must be given to the recruitment department for a deal that has finally began to pay dividends. Initially it was impossible to judge Mari having featured only against West Ham and Portsmouth before suffering a long-term injury, but now back and having played ten times this season – in between another injury-related absence – he’s impressed.

His performances have been commendable enough to spark conversation over who should be granted a starting berth between him and Gabriel – this being the Brazilian who was already being tipped to become one of the best centre-backs in Europe.

Mari had flaws, as does Gabriel, but what is most impressive from the 27-year-old is his ability to mask them. Of course, team solidity and understanding helps this, but to Mari’s credit, he’s come in with low expectations from supporters and being refreshingly solid.

Arteta can brush the dust off some famous old Arsene Wenger quotes for the signing of Mari. £6.8m very well spent from the club. We don’t hear that often.