Source: Arsenal moving at ‘rapid rate’ to complete signing of La Liga wonderkid

Arsenal transfers have exploded this week! The club look to have completed a deal for Christian Norgaard yesterday and today, look set to sign a La Liga wonderkid.

Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign highly-rated Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, as Mikel Arteta continues to build depth across the pitch early in the summer window.

The 20-year-old Spanish youth international has emerged as the club’s top defensive target, and as per The Athletic, a move is progressing quickly.

Mosquera made 41 La Liga appearances last season — playing a full 90 minutes in 37 of them — and has become a key figure for Valencia after breaking into the first team in 2022.

According to a recent update from @HandOfArsenal (who earlier broke the news) the deal is moving at a rapid rate, with Arsenal keen to wrap it up quickly. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, and new sporting director Andrea Berta has played a pivotal role in driving the transfer forward.

Arsenal see Mosquera as both immediate cover and a long-term project. He will primarily serve as backup to William Saliba, but his ability to play at right back also gives Arteta another option behind Ben White and Jurrien Timber.

With Takehiro Tomiyasu still managing long-term fitness concerns, that versatility could prove crucial over the course of the season.

The defender’s profile fits Arsenal’s defensive blueprint: at 6ft 3in, Mosquera is calm, positionally disciplined, and strong in one-on-one duels — boasting one of La Liga’s best ‘true’ tackle win rates last season.

He is right-footed but comfortable operating on either side of central defence and stepping into wide areas when needed. Though he isn’t dominant in the air yet, his poise and technical ability make him a promising addition under Arteta’s guidance.

This move follows Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Brentford midfielder Christian Nørgaard, with deals for both players signalling a focus on adding dependable squad depth.

Fans will now be hoping for similar movement in the attacking third, where Arsenal are targeting two or three new forwards to add firepower and competition.

After a 2024/25 campaign that again saw Saliba and Gabriel heavily relied upon, the addition of Mosquera — coupled with Nørgaard’s expected arrival — reflects a strategic approach from Berta.

With the transfer window still in its early stages, Arsenal are moving at pace — and the summer rebuild is just getting started.

For more on Arsenal transfer updates, visit our Arsenal transfer news hub.