Fabrizio Romano reports (via Caught Offside) that Pablo Mari is on the list for Fenerbahce and Hellas Verona this summer. The Verona interest was already widely reported, but it seems they have competition from Turkey.
Previous reports from Italy suggested Mari is Hellas Verona’s primary defensive target, and they’re in negotiations with Arsenal over a deal.
Finding an agreement with the Gunners is expected to be complicated, but still possible. The primary issue appears to be Mari’s wages.
Serie A clubs have a bit of a reputation for significantly lower wage bills than in the Premier League, so Hellas Verona would apparently need Arsenal to cover some of Mari’s salary.
Mari spent the last six months on loan with Udinese, and it initially appeared likely he could return. Following a positive spell with the club, they made an offer of €4m to sign him permanently.
But there has been little progress on a deal since, and Di Marzio then reported Hellas Verona were entering the race.
What could make the move appealing to Mari is Gabriele Cioffi’s switch from Udinese to manage Hellas Verona. Cioffi was in charge at Udinese throughout Mari’s loan, and he’d now like to bring the Spaniard with him to Verona.
Sporting director Francesco Marroccu is reportedly on board and keen to give Cioffi a reunion with the Arsenal man, so all the pieces could be in place.
