Valencia respond to Arsenal's opening transfer bid for Cristhian Mosquera
Valencia have issued an emphatic response to Arsenal's opening bid for Cristhian Mosquera.
Despite their apparent strength in depth, Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-half this summer.
Arsenal failed in their attempts to recruit Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth with the Spain international having been determined to join Real Madrid.
England international Marc Guehi is also on Arsenal's radar, while Ajax's Jorrel Hato has been of long-term interest.
Arteta, however, appears to have settled on Mosquera as his No.1 target but the Gunners will have to raise their initial offer of €19 million after it was dismissed out of hand by Valencia, according to Eldesmarque.
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The Spanish club are determined to retain the services of the 21-year-old who they view as a player they want to build a new-look team around.
RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Aston Villa have also been linked with a move for the Spain Under-21 international but Valencia are keen to negotiate a new contract.
Mosquera's current deal expires next summer, but Valencia do retain the option to extend for a further 12 months. More Trending
Valencia are keen to insert a release clause in any new contract and that currently represents a major sticking point for Mosquera and his representatives.
Los Che want the release clause to be set at around €35m but the player's agent is insisting on a figure no higher than €25m, although there could be room for flexibility should Valencia qualify for Europe.
Another round of talks are set for July with chief executive Ron Gourlay, formerly of Chelsea,but if a resolution isn't met then Arsenal may well be succesful were they to table a bid in the region of €30m.
MORE: Arsenal told £67m transfer target will be sold if he does not 'wake up'
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