Valencia have firmly rejected Arsenal’s opening €19m offer for highly-rated centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, according to reports in Spain. The 21-year-old Spain Under-21 international has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top defensive target this summer following failed pursuits of Dean Huijsen and long-term interest in Marc Guehi and Jorrel Hato.
Despite boasting considerable depth in central defence, Arsenal are eager to reinforce their backline ahead of the new campaign. Arteta has been particularly impressed with Mosquera’s development, especially after seeing him perform against England in the Under-21 Euros. However, Arsenal’s bid was “dismissed out of hand” by Valencia, who are determined not to lose the player cheaply.
Valencia view Mosquera as central to their rebuild and are pushing to keep him by offering a new long-term contract. The Spanish club hold an option to extend his current deal, which expires next summer, by a further year — giving them some leverage. However, there’s friction over the proposed release clause. Valencia want it set at €35m, while Mosquera’s camp prefers a lower figure, around €25m, though sources suggest there’s room for compromise depending on the club’s qualification for European competition.
RB Leipzig, AC Milan, and Aston Villa have also shown interest in the young defender, but none have made formal bids as yet. Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer in the region of €30m, which could tempt Valencia if contract talks break down.
Interestingly, former Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay — now at the helm at Valencia — is expected to lead a new round of negotiations in July. Should those talks collapse, Arsenal could be in pole position to snap up Mosquera, potentially ahead of other European suitors.
For now, Valencia remain firm in their stance. But with the player entering the final year of his contract and hesitation surrounding the release clause, the situation could shift quickly — especially if Arsenal come back with a deal closer to the club’s expectations.