Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes looks set to stay at Arsenal with interest in the player from Saudi Arabia waning.
Journalist James Benge, speaking on Charles Watts’ Inside Arsenal, has stated that a move to take Gabriel Magalhaes from Arsenal to Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly “unlikely.”
This is largely due to the fact that Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad, who have considered the likes of Raphael Varane and Marquinhos, as well as Gabriel, have turned their attention elsewhere. Meanwhile, other interested parties from Saudi Arabia seem unwilling to meet Arsenal’s demands for the player. Arsenal want “stunning money” for Gabriel.
The Gunners will be delighted with this outcome from the transfer saga that has surrounded Gabriel. Whilst the Brazilian defender has been omitted from the starting XI in the Premier League so far this season, Mikel Arteta has always maintained that the 25-year-old is still in his plans.
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Room for Gabriel at Arsenal
Gabriel will surely be reinstated into the Arsenal starting XI sooner rather than later. Perhaps his return will coincide with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s. Once the Ukrainian left-back is fully fit, Arteta will be able to field his familiar back four from last season, with Ben White resuming his duties at right-back, and Gabriel taking up a central role alongside William Saliba.
There is still an outside chance that a club from Saudi Arabia could opt to push the boat out financially in pursuit of Gabriel. Given that the Saudi Arabian transfer window remains open for some time after the English window has closed, this is a concern that could be playing on Arteta’s mind.
Fans will be desperate for the former Lille man to remain in north London. The £50,000-per-week centre-back was ever-present for the Gunners last season, starting every game in the Premier League and cultivating an impressively solid partnership with Saliba.