A Flamengo director has claimed Arsenal moved the goalposts in the deal to bring Pablo Mari to the Emirates, with the move now in serious doubt.

Mari arrived in London on Saturday for his medical after Arsenal technical director Edu had agreed a deal with Flamengo to sign him on loan with view to a £7.5million transfer.

No problems were anticipated but the player is now back in Brazil after a late hitch. A Flamengo director said: 'We expect him at Ninho do Urubu this afternoon (to start pre-season). We had agreed to sell him for a fee, he arrived in London, Arsenal changed (the terms). Flamengo is a serious club.'

Pablo Mari was on the verge of joining Arsenal this month but there has been a late hitch

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow in his hunt for a centre-back this month

PABLO MARI Age: 26

Country: Spain

Position: Centre-back Clubs Mallorca (2010-13)

Gimnastic (2013-16)

Manchester City (2016-19)

Girona (2016-17, loan)

NAC (2017-18, loan)

Deportivo La Coruna (2018-19, loan)

Flamengo (2019-current) Advertisement

Arsenal sources say Mari, 26, a former Manchester City centre-back, had his medical and was set to sign with friends even congratulating him on his move but negotiations have now stalled at the final stage.

A disappointed Mari is now heading back to Rio de Janeiro. Negotiations are ongoing between Flamengo and Arsenal though the Gunners are also having to consider new targets.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is preparing his squad to face Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Monday night and was hopeful of getting much needed reinforcements for his defence.

The Spanish 26-year-old was a vital part of Flamengo's double-winning season in 2019, helping the Brazilian side to the league title and Copa Libertadores triumph.

Mohamed Salah comes up against Mari in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final in Doha, Qatar

In fact, his last appearance came in the FIFA Club World Cup final, losing 1-0 to Liverpool after extra-time.

He joined Flamengo in the summer of 2019 after failing to make an appearance under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Mari was turfed out on loan to three different clubs after arriving at City, spending a season each at Girona, NAC and Deportivo La Coruna.