Arsenal will return with an improved offer for Cristhian Mosquera after Valencia rejected their opening bid for the 21-year-old centre-back earlier this week.
VALENCIA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 09: Cristhian Mosquera of Valencia CF celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga match between Valencia CF and CD Leganes at Estadio Mestalla on February 09, 2025 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The first proposal, worth just under €19 million (£16 million), was swiftly dismissed by Valencia, who are holding out for a package closer to €25 million (£21.2 million).
According to Superdeporte, Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, is now preparing a second approach that will include a higher base fee and additional performance-related variables to bring the total closer to the Spanish club’s valuation.
The club’s final package is likely to include between €3 million and €5 million in add-ons, depending on appearances and team performance benchmarks.
VALENCIA, SPAIN: Cristhian Mosquera of Valencia CF challenges for the ball with Kike of Alaves during the LaLiga match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Mestalla on December 22, 2024. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
Berta, who previously tracked Mosquera while at Atlético Madrid, is understood to have made the defender a personal priority since his arrival in north London.
Both Berta and Mikel Arteta believe Mosquera would add depth and long-term quality behind established first-choice pairing Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal console each other after the draw in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on February 26, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Arsenal’s interest is not new. Talks began informally in May, with formal negotiations intensifying following Mosquera’s participation in the U21 European Championship. Valencia rejected the initial offer made on Friday, and discussions are expected to resume in the coming days.
Mosquera, whose contract runs until June 2026, would be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement abroad in January if no new deal is reached.
Arsenal are aware of this timeline and are applying pressure accordingly, knowing that Carlos Corberán and former Chelsea man, Ron Gourlay, must either agree a sale now or risk losing leverage as the window progresses.
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - MARCH 02: Cristhian Mosquera of Valencia CF battles for possession with Ante Budimir of CA Osasuna during the LaLiga match between CA Osasuna and Valencia CF at Estadio El Sadar on March 02, 2025 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Valencia are also juggling other negotiations, including interest from Feyenoord in Yarek Gasiorowski, but Mosquera’s situation is more pressing due to his contract and current status as a key part of Corberán’s defence.
Arsenal remain confident that Mosquera wants the move. Valencia’s willingness to negotiate, coupled with the risk of losing the player for less in future, should hopefully work in their favour.
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