Arsenal are not planning for a summer involving Cristhian Mosquera heading to Portugal, despite recent claims linking the defender with Benfica.
Over the past few days, reports from various outlets suggested the Spanish centre-back had caught Benfica’s attention.
The idea was simple enough.
With Nicolás Otamendi approaching the end of his contract, the Lisbon club are expected to enter the market for a replacement. Mosquera’s name quickly appeared in that conversation.
Mosquera’s Arsenal season in numbers
The 21-year-old has already made 29 appearances across all competitions. As recorded by FBref, in the Premier League alone, he has played 15 matches, conceding just four goals while on the pitch. That equates to one goal every 171 minutes.
His defensive output also stands out. Mosquera is averaging 2.90 tackles and 1.05 interceptions per 90 minutes, alongside 4.61 clearances. In addition, he has been part of six clean sheets in the league.
Those numbers help explain why his name has started to circulate in the market. A young centre-back, already contributing in a structured Arsenal side, will naturally attract attention – especially from clubs planning defensive changes.
Also, he recently opted to represent Spain at international level, after a brief tug-of-war with the Colombian FA. He already played two friendlies and is among the names considered for La Roja’s World Cup list.
Rumour grows, then quickly fades
In recent days, reports from multiple outlets suggested Mosquera was well regarded internally and under consideration for that role. However, that idea has now been firmly dismissed.
According to Record, one of Portugal’s main sports newspapers, Mosquera is not on Benfica’s list of targets for the next transfer window. The outlet directly contradicts the earlier claims and plays down any suggestion of real interest.
It is near certain their information has come directly from Benfica.
What it means for Arsenal
Cristhian Mosquera’s situation at Arsenal remains stable. There is no indication of talks, no sign of movement, and no pressure building from outside.Instead, this looks like a case of a rumour gaining traction without strong foundations.
For Arsenal, that will come as little surprise. Mosquera continues to develop within the squad, and his current role offers both minutes and progression without the need for immediate change.
In the end, he is likely to remain part of Arteta’s defensive plans heading into the summer.
Transfer links may continue if his performances stay consistent. That is the nature of the market, especially for young defenders with solid metrics in a top league.
Still, this particular story already looks settled. Benfica may be searching for a centre-back, but Mosquera is not the one they are pursuing.
🇩🇪 Nathaniel Brown | Defender asked about Arsenal and Manchester City wanting him ➡️ Suggests he’s well aware https://t.co/GZENQIFBkk #afc #mcfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 15, 2026