Arsenal are on the brink of signing Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners faced a late rival swoop from Napoli for the 22-year-old Brazilian but he is expected to turn down the Serie A side in favour of Mikel Arteta’s men.
L’Equipe says Gabriel is on the cusp of becoming an Arsenal player.
The 22-year-old will join the Gunners on a five-year contract ‘in the coming hours’ after Arteta’s side moved to the front of the queue for the left-footed centre-back.
Premier League rivals Everton had been keen on a move for Gabriel, but the Merseysiders were muscled out of a deal by interest from both Arsenal and Napoli.
The Italians are said to still be interested in a move for the defender, with the prospect of a higher wage on offer still a possibility.
However, it is Arsenal who have now ‘never been so close’ to a deal for Gabriel, who could become their second signing from Lille in as many summers following the arrival of Nicolas Pepe last year.
Napoli had already signed his team-mate Victor Osimhen who could have helped Gabriel settle in Italy but it is understood that the centre-back is keen on linking up with fellow Brazilians Willian and David Luiz in north London.
Lille president Gerard Lopez, had earlier told Sky Italia: ‘We clearly told him what our expectations were, we spoke to a number of clubs, our expectations were met by a number of clubs and we have given him the time to decide.
‘It is going to be entirely his decision. We tend to try and steer our players in certain directions, but at the end of the day it’s the player’s decision.’
Gabriel was hugely impressive for Lille last season with 23 domestic appearances in their fourth placed finish before coronavirus brought about an early finish to the season in France.
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