Hilal Close to Signing Ex-Arsenal Defender Pablo Mari
9 January 2026
Transfer News: Hilal Targets Ex-Arsenal Defender
Al Hilal is close to signing the former Arsenal defender during the current winter transfer window, after failing to sign Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij.
Reports had revealed that Al Hilal entered negotiations with Inter to sign Acerbi or De Vrij, based on the wishes of their Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, who is seeking a new defender.
Gianluca Di Marzio, the Sky Sports journalist in its Italian edition, said that Spanish defender Pablo Mari of Fiorentina is on his way to move to Al Hilal in this winter transfer window.
Di Marzio explained that Hilal's move toward Pablo Mari came after failing to sign Stefan De Vrij and Francesco Acerbi, based on Inzaghi's request.
Pablo Mari is a 33-year-old Spanish defender who has been with Fiorentina since January last year, when he joined from Monza, to feature in 29 matches since then.
During this season, the Spanish defender has appeared in only 16 matches for the Italian side, 11 in the league and 5 in the Europa Conference League.
Pablo Mari's career has included several stops, notably with Arsenal from 2020 to 2022, as well as Manchester City, Girona, Deportivo La Coruña, Breda, Flamengo, Udinese, Monza and Fiorentina.
Punchline 1: If he signs, the defense might finally stop leaks. Punchline 2: If not, the drama will keep unfolding like a never-ending transfer saga.
