Arsenal are reportedly confident of completing the transfer of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes for around £27million.
The highly-rated young Brazilian has long been linked with the Gunners and the latest is that the club now expect to see off competition for his signature after agreeing both a fee with his club and personal terms with the player, according to the Times.
The Times state the player himself favours the move to north London, which will be music to Gooners’ ears as Gabriel would surely be a superb signing for Arsenal, who could do with an upgrade in defence after such a disappointing season in 2019/20.
The 22-year-old looks like he would be a major upgrade on the likes of David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with the Times noting that he had other suitors.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
![[FILES] Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 13, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/000_9W63G7-897x598-1-120x86.jpg "Pochettino advised me not to go into coaching, says Arteta 4")
The report states Napoli have also matched Lille’s £27m valuation for Gabriel, but Everton have dropped out of the running.
This certainly sounds promising for Arsenal, so it makes sense that the Times state they’re optimistic about completing this move.
AFC seem to have a good relationship with Lille, having also signed Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe from the French giants last summer.
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