Cristhian Mosquera will consider rejecting interest from Arsenal to stay at Valencia if he is offered the right contract, according to reports in Spain.
The Gunners have identified the Spain Under-21 international as their top defensive target, eager to bring him in to provide cover and competition for the first-choice pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal launched an opening offer of €19million this week which was swiftly rejected by Valencia.
Mosquera, who turned 21 today, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Mestalla with Los Che eager to tie him down to a long-term deal.
Valencia are still to present the defender with a formal offer, however. Cadena Ser report
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Mosquera’s representatives were recently invited to the club’s offices where they were ‘informed of the club’s intentions’ without any deal being presented.
A formal contract offer has been postponed until the arrival of Valencia’s new chief executive Ron Gourlay, who will officially begin his duties next week.
Mosquera has grown into a vital member of Carlos Corberan’s first-team and while Arsenal are expected to return with a second bid, reports elsewhere suggest he will consider remaining in Spain.
Las Provincias claims Mosquera may choose to stay at the club if he is offered a new deal that is in line with his prominent role in the team.
Mosquera’s agent Sergio Barila sat down with Valencia officials earlier this month, reportedly the first time the two parties had met ‘in months’ to discuss a new deal.
In comments made before Arsenal’s interest in his client came to light, Barila said: ‘We came to speak with the club and in a few days we will speak again and both parties will analyse the situation.
‘The boy is very happy at Valencia CF, he has always expressed that.
‘Now he is focused on the U21 national team and we will have time to find solutions.’
Mosquera was part of the Spain Under-21 squad that crashed out of the European Championships against England last week.
He played the full 90 minutes, briefly coming up against a potential future teammate in Ethan Nwaneri.