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Valencia may have offered a lucrative new contract to tie down rising star Cristhian Mosquera, but the 21-year-old’s heart is firmly elsewhere — and it beats red and white.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish club have presented Mosquera with an “important salary” in a bid to keep him at the Mestalla. Yet, the young centre-back has made his position crystal clear. His dream is to play for Arsenal, and he’s not hiding it.
“Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal,” Romano reports Mosquera as saying. That level of clarity leaves little room for interpretation — Mosquera wants a move to North London.
Arsenal have already made their interest official, but their opening bid was turned down by Valencia, as reported by the Daily Mail. Still, with the player pushing for the move and just one year remaining on his current deal, the Gunners believe they can secure his signature for around €20million — well below his €30million market value.
A composed presence in La Liga last season, Mosquera stood out for his athleticism, technical quality, and calmness under pressure. At 6ft 2in, he fits the profile of a modern Arsenal defender and would offer valuable depth behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães – with an ability to play on both sides of central defence, as well as right-back.
Mosquera, who stands at 6ft 3′, made 41 La Liga appearances last season — playing a full 90 minutes in 37 of them — and has become a key figure for Valencia after breaking into the first team in 2022.
Now, it’s over to the clubs. Valencia will hope their contract offer can sway the player, but Arsenal’s persistence — combined with Mosquera’s clear preference — could prove decisive. The path is set. All that’s left is for the two clubs to find common ground.
For all the latest developments, check our Arsenal transfer news hub.