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Football

23rd Aug 2020

Arsenal on the verge of signing highly rated centre-back from Lille

Arsenal have agreed terms with Lille for the transfer of Gabriel Magalhães, who will undergo a medical at Arsenal on Tuesday

Reuben Pinder

He is due to have a medical on Tuesday

Arsenal have come to an agreement with Lille over the transfer of Gabriel Magalhães, according to reports in France.

Numerous clubs including Manchester United and Napoli have been keeping tabs on the young Brazilian, but the Gunners are understood to have won the race for his signature. Arsenal will pay a €30m fee for his services, subject to a medical expected to take place on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old watched Lille’s first game of the 2020/21 season from the stands on Saturday evening and is due to arrive in London tomorrow.

Gabriel will become Arsenal’s second permanent signing of the window, joining a revamped backline with loanee William Saliba returning from St Etienne for his full season as a Gunner.

The addition of a left-footed centre-back will give Arsenal more options in defence, allowing Kieran Tierney to move to a wing-back position in their 3-4-3 system, while also giving Mikel Arteta the choice to revert to a back four without having to expose the team to the terrors of playing David Luiz as one of two centre-backs.