Report: Arsenal remain favourites for £22m ‘machine’, but rival suitors have made big-salary offer

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Speculation linking Arsenal and Gabriel Magalhaes has increased in recent days and, judging by some of the reports, it would appear as though the Lille defender is increasingly likely to move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Sky Sports claimed on Tuesday that, though the Gunners remain favourites to sign the 22-year-old, fellow reported suitors Napoli have weighed in with a last-minute “big salary deal”.

The report adds that, while Gabriel favours a move to the Premier League, the Serie A side’s 11th-hour offer is being “seriously considered”.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported – also on Tuesday – that, while Arsenal have agreed a £22million deal with Lille for Gabriel, they “still face competition” from Napoli and are currently waiting on the player’s decision.

Gabriel made the move to Lille from Brazilian outfit Avai back in 2016 for £1.5million and became a key first-teamer last season, featuring 34 times in all competitions.

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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 Mikel Arteta, things are looking up in the Gunners camp.

Adding Gabriel to their ranks would be a great statement of intent, but it doesn’t look as though Napoli are going to go down without a fight.