Arsenal are determined to keep hold of Gabriel Magalhaes this summer.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are unwilling to part with Gabriel Magalhaes in this transfer window. The Brazilian centre-back has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, but the Gunners are unwilling to negotiate a deal for his departure.
Speaking on Kick, Romano said, “my sources, yesterday, when I was asking, they told me not even €200 million (£170m) will convince Arsenal to let Gabriel Magalhaes go. So, at the moment, Gabriel is staying at Arsenal. This is very strong and clear.”
Despite this firm stance on Gabriel staying at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s plan for the defender this season isn’t entirely clear.
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The 25-year-old was a mainstay at the back for the Gunners last season, starting every single Premier League game over the course of the campaign. However, Arteta has left Gabriel out of the Arsenal starting XI in both of the club’s league matches so far this time around.
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Gabriel still has a big role at Arsenal
Arsenal fans will be delighted, and relieved, to learn that Gabriel is staying put. The player has developed an excellent partnership with fellow centre-back William Saliba, and the club will certainly need him this season if they are to achieve their goal of challenging for the Premier League title.
Despite having been left out of the starting line up in recent weeks, Gabriel’s importance to Arsenal can’t be questioned. However, the Gunners are in a position where they need to sell. In the unlikely event of a bid worth £170 million officially being made for Gabriel, the Gunners would be compelled to accept it.
In the event of the former Lille man staying with the club, the need to move on fringe defenders such as Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, and Nuno Tavares will become even more urgent. Edu has his work cut out to bring some money into the club, and clear the deadwood out of the squad, in the final days of the transfer window.