Arsenal move for summer target has 'completely stalled' after bid rejected

Arsenal will need to stump up a bigger fee if they are to sign defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia after talks between the clubs "completely stalled" with the La Liga side demanding more than £20m.

Mosquera has already told Valencia that he has his heart set on joining Arsenal this summer. The Gunners had seen an offer for Mosquera, 21, rejected by the La Liga club, worth about £12m, early in the transfer window, while the Spain youth international is also being courted by RB Leipzig.

The defender is in the final year of his contract, meaning Valencia do not appear to hold the strongest bargaining position. Las Provincas last week claimed that Valencia have offered Mosquera a contract extension to keep him at the club beyond this season but the defender has informed them he wants to join Arsenal.

Earlier reports state that Mosquera was initially keen on extending his contract with Valencia - before learning of Premier League interest. And their delay in tabling an offer has seemingly opened the door for Arsenal.

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His representatives are understood to have already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, who see the young defender as the ideal understudy to William Saliba.

But while Mosquera is sold on a move to north London, Arsenal will still have to pay a substantial fee to get a deal done. Valencia are understood to want more than £20m if they are to sanction a switch to the Premier League and Arsenal's initial bid has left the Spanish club's hierarchy unhappy.

A move for Mosquera would mark another significant addition to the Arsenal squad with plenty of substantial deals already in the pipeline.

Martin Zubimendi was last week unveiled after a move worth in excess of £50m was agreed with Real Sociedad. The Gunners are also in advanced talks with the Brentford captain Christian Norgaard to further stock their midfield.

A move for a prolific striker has always been Arsenal's top summer priority, though, with fresh reports claiming that talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres are now at an advanced stage.

Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been Arsenal's two top targets ahead of the new season with the former now seemingly the preferred option. A swoop for a left-sided forward, potentially Rodrygo of Real Madrid, is also something Arsenal want to do before the transfer window shuts at the end of next month.

There is growing belief that the Brazil international will become available, after falling down the pecking order under new Bernabeu boss Xabi Alonso.

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