Report: Arsenal could close deal for 22-year-old ‘absolute machine’ today

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Arsenal could close the deal for Gabriel Magalhaes today, according to a report from Gianluca Di Marzio.

The 22-year-old Lille defender has been heavily linked with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in recent weeks, speculation increasing massively over the past few days.

Along with Arsenal, Gabriel is said to be – or to have been – on the radar of some other high-profile clubs including Manchester United, Napoli and Everton.

The latest GDM report, on Friday night, claimed that Arsenal have matched Napoli’s offer of €26million (£23.4million) plus €4million (£3.6million) in bonuses to Lille.

United have reportedly made a late move for Gabriel but, if they don’t submit an improved bid, then Arsenal could close the deal for the player already on Saturday, added the report.

This is assuming the defender no longer wants to wait for Napoli, which according to GDM, appears to be the case.

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Gabriel was sensational for Lille last season and his skills and efforts could help bolster an Arsenal defence which has struggled at times and is currently missing several players due to injury.

“He’s an absolute machine, so to me, he’s well on his way – if not this year – to potentially a really big club,” Lille president Gerard Lopez told Sky Sports back in April.

“I’m certain he’s on his way to the Brazilian national team at some point.”

With Arsenal having won the FA Cup, qualified for the Europa League and looking invigorated under Arteta, things are looking up in the Gunners camp, and adding Gabriel to their ranks would be a great statement of intent.