Cristhian Mosquera makes emotional confession ahead of Arsenal transfer
The Spanish club appear to have failed in their attempts to convince the defender to sign a new contract and remain with them.
After seeing at least one offer rejected, Arsenal are now understood to have made a significant breakthrough in negotiations with Valencia and are on the verge of making another significant addition to their squad.
Mosquera is booked in for a medical that is due to take place at the Gunners' London Colney training base on Tuesday ahead of his €20million move.
Speaking from his car as he left Valencia for the final time, he said: 'Valencia is my home and it always will be.
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'I arrived when I was 12, and now I'm leaving as a grown man, a little sad because you've been here your whole life, but decisions in football are like that. Now a new era begins.'
When asked about his departure, Mosquera added: 'I prefer the club to talk first , and then whatever happens, it will happen. It's exciting, but it's also sad.'
Despite the emotional wrench of leaving his boyhood club, the 21-year-old was steadfast in his determination to join Arsenal.
Aside from the efforts made by Valencia to keep the Spain Under-23 international, Mosquera also received interest from clubs in Italy as well as Bournemouth who are looking to replace Dean Huijsen.
Mosquera's desire to be part of Mikel Arteta's project is admirable given the competition he is likely to face for a place in Arsenal's first team.
Gabriel Magalhaes, who has just signed a new long-term contract, and William Saliba form arguably the most impressive central defensive partnership in Europe,while Riccardo Calafiori is expected to figure more prominently this term. More Trending
Arsenal are likely, however, to listen to offers for Jakub Kiwior who impressed at the end of last season in place of the injured Gabriel.
The Poland international joined Arsenal two-and-a-half years ago from Spezia and has regularly been linked with a return to Italy.
Arsenal have already terminated the contract of Takehiro Tomiyasu and arelikely to deem Oleksandr Zinchenko surplus to requirements.
MORE: Man Utd face problem completing Bryan Mbeumo transfer with delay explained
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MORE: Arsenal's transfer deal for Viktor Gyokeres at risk of 'complete collapse'
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Leader Live
18 minutes ago
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Arsenal sign defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia
Spaniard Mosquera joins for an initial fee of £13m – with performance-related add-ons – and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners' defence, but can also operate anywhere along the backline. Building from the back. Cristhian Mosquera is a Gunner ✍️ — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 24, 2025 Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. 'It means a lot to me,' Mosquera told the club website. 'There's been a lot of hard work behind all of this. 'It's an opportunity that came up and I couldn't let it pass me by. I'm joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.' New sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in improving Arsenal's squad as manager Mikel Arteta eyes the club's first Premier League title in more than two decades. Welcome to The Arsenal, Noni Madueke 💨 — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 18, 2025 'Cristhian has already performed consistently well with significant experience in La Liga. He is an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides,' Arteta said. 'He is a young player with exciting talent and enormous potential, who will fit well into our squad as we continue to prepare for next season. Cristhian adds good quality to our squad, and we look forward to working with him and making him feel at home with us.' Mosquera follows Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), Christian Norgaard (£10m) and Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all-but completed. Arsenal remain hopeful of signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, although it is not believed a deal, which could be worth as much as £65m, is imminent.
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Glasgow Times
18 minutes ago
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Alan Shearer feels Newcastle ‘ridiculous' in claiming Alexander Isak is injured
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