The Brazilian media are unable to come to a consensus over whether Pablo Mari is joining Arsenal on a loan deal or permanently, with reports supporting both options.

LIMA, PERU - NOVEMBER 23: Pablo Mari of Flamengo lifts the trophy after winning during the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 between Flamengo and River Plate at Estadio Monumental on November 23, 2019, in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)
LIMA, PERU – NOVEMBER 23: Pablo Mari of Flamengo lifts the trophy after winning during the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 between Flamengo and River Plate at Estadio Monumental on November 23, 2019, in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Daniel Apuy/Getty Images)

We know for sure that Flamengo defender Pablo Mari is close to joining Arsenal, whether on loan or permanently.

The Brazilian media posted pictures of him with Arsenal director Edu in Rio de Janeiro, then the English media got a video of the pair arriving at London Heathrow.

The centre-back will hold a medical this weekend, but we don’t know for certain what the terms of the transfer are.

The English media are mostly in agreement that it’s a loan deal. Goal claim it’s a loan with an option to buy permanently in the summer. Mark Mann-Bryans of PA Sport wrote the same thing on Twitter. In Brazil, the claims are much less clear.

Mauro Cezar asserts that Flamengo president Rodolfo Landim tells him the deal is a permanent transfer. He doesn’t provide any on-the-record quotes to prove it, but if true, that sounds like a good source!

After that, Gazeta Esportiva published a very detailed breakdown of the transfer claiming it was a €4m loan, with bonuses of up to €2m, plus a €4m option to buy. The bonuses are reportedly based on how many games he plays.

ESPN’s Jorge Nicola then claimed it’s a €7m deal. Essentially, no one agrees with anyone else. We might just have to wait for the actual announcement from Arsenal.