‘I didn’t think twice’: ‘Incredible’ £51m player says he didn’t hesitate to join Arsenal after Edu call

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Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has revealed how he “didn’t think twice” to join the Gunners after Edu got in touch.

The 24-year-old was speaking to the Arsenal website in a feature article entitled ‘Long read: Gabriel’s dreams for club and country’.

Gabriel joined Arsenal from French outfit Lille for a reported £27million in 2020. To date, he has made 81 appearances for the Gunners.

The Brazilian has impressed for most of his time at the Emirates and has helped Mikel Arteta’s side compete for the Premier League title this season.

This has led to links with the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as per football.london.

In summer, Juventus director Federico Cherubini was in London and reportedly wanted talks with the Gunners about Gabriel.

It was suggested that Arsenal wanted at least £51million for the ‘incredible‘ defender.

In the end, Gabriel stayed put at the Emirates, and it looks as though he’s always had lots of love for the North London club.

“I always knew Arsenal was a very big club,” he told the Arsenal website.

“Had offers from other clubs, but my preference was certainly to come to Arsenal.

“I knew how big the club was and all about the aims and ambitions.

“Talks were very positive from the beginning and I’m thrilled to be here.

“I spoke to my father and my agent at the time.

“When other offers came in, we thought hard about them.

“But as soon as we found out that Arsenal were interested and Edu called me, I didn’t think twice.”