Why Celtic can help Arsenal complete reported pursuit of Gabriel - TBR View
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Lille defender Gabriel this summer though they face plenty of competition from Italian side Napoli this summer – but Celtic could hand Arsenal a huge helping hand.
Gabriel, 22, has been in stunning form for Lille – proving to play a crucial part in their Champions League campaign while also helping his team keep an impressive 12 clean sheets in 24 French Ligue 1 matches.
The Evening Standard claim Arsenal are interested in signing Gabriel and Mikel Arteta is keen – though the Gunners face competition from Napoli. It comes as little surprise that the Brazilian is attracting such interest.
But Scottish champions Celtic may just have the chance to hand Arsenal a huge boost in their bid. That is because of a report from Corriere Dello Sport on Wednesday, which identifies six players eyed by Napoli.
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One is Gabriel, but another is Celtic defender Christopher Jullien. The £7million (Herald) signing has starred for Celtic since joining the Scottish club last summer – clocking up 46 outings last term and keeping 20 clean sheets.
The 6ft 5in ace has been identified as a target for Napoli, who are likely to be after a central defender even if Kalidou Koulibaly remains. Jullien could be brought to the club to fill that gap, if Napoli meet Celtic’s asking price.
If Celtic choose to sanction the sale of Jullien in the coming weeks, then that would hand Arsenal a huge boost in their pursuit of Gabriel – as Celtic and Jullien would eliminate Napoli as Arsenal’s main rivals for Gabriel.
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