One of Arsenal’s forgotten men, Pablo Mari, is impressing so much with Udinese in Serie A that the Italians want to sign the defender permanently.

Pablo Mari has already stated that he wants to remain in Italy after his loan with Udinese comes to an an end so it is fortuitous, then, that both Udinese want him and Arsenal don’t.

Speaking to Italian outlet Gazetta earlier this month, Mari said: “I’d like to stay in Serie A next season. I’m under contract until June 2024 with Arsenal – but I’m so happy here at Udinese.”

Now, Mundo Deportivo report that Udinese are keen to turn the deal into a permanent move.

Mari moved on loan to Serie A in the January transfer window, joining Udinese until the end of the season.

Mari had spent a while away from Mikel Arteta’s side before his departure, as Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Rob Holding were preferred for game-time.

The 28-year-old decided to speak to Arteta about the situation, and whilst the Arsenal manager made him no assurances over his minutes, it seems Mari was still pleased with how the conversation went.

“In the winter, we made commitments together,” Mari said.

“I explained my situation to him, my feelings. I don’t play in the last six months. [He said] the plan in the next six months until June is going to be the same.

“I can play, of course, because maybe other centre-backs get injured, there can be a red card, or yellow cards, but it is going to be one, two, maximum three or four games. At the end, I don’t want that for me.

“[Arteta] was a really, really, really good person in that moment. He said to me ‘everything that you need, you deserve that.

“You were a professional player until the end and you deserve it so everything I can help you, I’m going to do it.’

“I’m so glad to hear that from a coach because it was not an easy moment for me.”

Mari is currently valued at around £4.5m. Arsenal paid £12.6m for him with his fee rising another €1m with every 10 appearances.

In total, Mari played 22 times for Arsenal, scoring once.