Arsenal hit with Cristhian Mosquera transfer delay as Asia tour squad announced

Arsenal have confirmed their travelling squad for their pre-season tour of Asia - and it does not include impending new signing Cristhian Mosquera. The Spain U21 international defender arrived in London earlier this week to complete his £16.5million switch to the Emirates from boyhood club Valencia.

While Mosquera underwent his medical tests on Wednesday, Arsenal are still waiting for the deal to be formally ratified after exchanging all relevant paperwork with their La Liga counterparts.

Mosquera has already completed his club media duties and an image of 21-year-old centre-back in his Arsenal training kit has already been leaked online.

However, Arsenal were unable to get the deal over the line in time for the talented defender to travel to Singapore with Mikel Arteta's squad, though he could join up with his new team-mates at a later date.

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The Gunners will pay an initial £13m fee for Mosquera plus up to £3.5m in potential add-ons. New £52m recruit Noni Madueke hasn't travelled either after being given three weeks off by Arteta following his involvement in the Club World Cup with newly-crowned world champions Chelsea.

Madueke is expected to begin full team training with Arsenal on the week commencing August 4 ahead of the Gunners' final two pre-season friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium.

Fabio Vieira, who looks poised to depart Arsenal this summer, has also been given an extended break after featuring for Porto at the Club World Cup.

Parma, now managed by Arteta's former assistant coach Carlos Cuesta, have been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old attacking midfielder.

Reiss Nelson is travelling with the group even though Fulham have expressed an interest in re-signing him following his loan spell at Craven Cottage last season, which was ended prematurely due to a hamstring injury.

Nelson has two years remaining on his current deal at Arsenal, signed in 2023, and the Gunners also have a one-year extension option.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is also travelling to the Far East following his loan spell with Sevilla, who also admire Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein, but he is very much considered available for transfer this summer.

Hein is currently nursing a thumb injury but Arsenal are looking to secure a permanent sale this summer following his successful loan spell in Spain with Real Valladolid.

New signings Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all travelled to Singapore where Arsenal will face AC Milan and Newcastle before heading to Hong Kong to square off against Tottenham in their final friendly of the tour.

Arsenal had hoped to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres before their departure for Asia but the Portuguese club's stubbornness throughout negotiations, which remain advanced, has delayed the transfer.

There is positive news though as 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman and fellow 2009-born starlet Marli Salmon are with the senior squad, Gabriel Jesus will remain in London as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Gabriel Magalhaes has also travelled as he steps up his recovery from hamstring surgery.

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