Arsenal have completed their fifth summer signing, with centre-back Cristhian Mosquera arriving from Valencia in a deal worth up to £16.5 million. The 20-year-old Spaniard was identified as an ideal backup for first-choice duo William Saliba and Gabriel.
The move was accidentally leaked on Friday evening when images from Mosquera's welcome interview were briefly uploaded to Getty Images before being removed. Screenshots were quickly shared on social media, alerting fans to the transfer before an official announcement.
Mosquera, who joined Valencia at age 12, expressed mixed emotions about leaving. Speaking from his car at Valencia's training ground, he said: 'Valencia is my home and it always will be. I arrived when I was 12 and now I am leaving as a grown man. A little sad because I have been here my whole life, but decisions in football are like that. Now a new era begins.'
When asked if he could confirm the Arsenal move, Mosquera replied: 'I prefer the club to talk first and then whatever happens, it will happen. It's exciting but it's also sad.'
Valencia had hoped to keep Mosquera with a new contract, but talks stalled over a release clause. The defender was reluctant to agree to a large clause, fearing it could block future transfers. With only a year left on his deal, Arsenal negotiated a compromise fee after initial offers of £12 million and Valencia's demand of £25 million.
