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All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Arsenal are in talks to sign 20-year-old defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, talk SPORT understands. The Spain Under-21 centre-back is valued in the region of €20million (around £17m). The Gunners were dealt various injury issues in defence during their 2024/25 campaign and are eyeing the Spanish centre-back. Arsenal are said to have made signing a new defender a priority for the summer transfer window. talk SPORT understands that Mosquera is keen on the move and Arsenal are confident of agreeing a package. He's willing to join even though he's aware Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba will play when fit. This will follow their deals for Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and, most recently, Christian Norgaard. Mosquera has made 90 appearances for Valencia since making his first-team debut for the La Liga outfit in January 2022. Despite playing in defence throughout his career, the 20-year-old is said to have featured in a different position as a youngster. According to Spanish outlet Superdeporte, Mosquera first played as a winger. But even before learning the ropes in football, he used to take to the basketball court. Mosquera, who stands at 1. 88m tall, is said to have been the right height to compete in the sport he enjoyed watching on television. His introduction to football came in futsal at San Blas Canavate, and a move to SCD Carolinas followed before signing for Hercules CF. Aged 12, Mosquera joined the Valencia academy in 2016 and made his first club appearance for their reserve side five years later. Now a regular senior player, the Spanish U21 star started in all but one of their 38 La Liga matches in the 2024/25 campaign. A summer move to Arsenal would likely see him sit behind Gabriel and William Saliba in the centre-back pecking order. The Brazilian and French duo have been the go-to pairing for Arteta in recent seasons. Jakub Kiwior was a regular deputy option whilst Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori had various spells out injured. Arsenal held talks with Dean Huijsen, but he chose to sign for Real Madrid in a £50million move from Bournemouth instead. Watch all of the FIFA Club World Cup free on DAZN. Sign up now so you don't miss any of the action. *Clicking on a DAZN link in this article may earn talk SPORT affiliate revenue © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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