Fabrizio Romano has now issued an update on Gabriel Magalhaes’ future at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta targets seven first-team exits before next week’s transfer deadline hits.
The transfer expert has reported via Kick that Arsenal are indicating a ‘very strong and clear’ opposition to Gabriel leaving. Emirates Stadium chiefs are determined to retain the 25-year-old beyond next Friday’s deadline. The European market shuts on September 1 at 23:00 BST.
But teams in Saudi Arabia have until September 20 to tempt further big-name players to the Pro League. And Gabriel is one name on the radar of clubs in the Middle East state. Yet they face paying Arsenal an astronomical sum as the Gunners would even reject €200m (£170m).
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Fabrizio Romano gives an update on Gabriel Magalhaes’ Arsenal future
Romano claims Arsenal have absolutely no interest in letting Gabriel go. Even if his transfer would be the second-most expensive ever behind Neymar’s €222m (£190m) switch from FC Barcelona to PSG in 2017. PSG paid AS Monaco €180m (£154m) for Kylian Mbappe in 2018.
Gabriel is also happy to stay at Arsenal, despite interest from Real Madrid in his transfer, per the Daily Mail. The Galacticos have identified the Brazilian as a late-window target after Eder Militao sustained a cruciate ligament injury. But they face rivalling Saudi Pro League interest.
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Offers to move to the Middle East or the Santiago Bernabeu do not weaken the centre-half’s commitment to the Gunners. Gabriel remains enthusiastic about the Arsenal plan even after Arteta left the Sao Paulo native out of his side against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Gabriel played as a late substitute against the Reds and Eagles to help see out the Gunners’ 2-1 and 1-0 wins. He had started in the Community Shield at Wembley against Manchester City. Arteta also started the 6 ft 2 enforcer in all 38 of their 2022/23 Premier League games.
Mikel Arteta targets seven first-team exits before transfer deadline day
But while Arsenal want to keep Gabriel against interest from Real Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia, Arteta is targeting transfers for seven first-team players before deadline day. That is according to football.london, which notes that the Spaniard is keen to clear their deadwood.
Arsenal have spent big this summer with the signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and David Raya. But they have only recouped minor sums with Granit Xhaka leaving for £21.5m, Matt Tuner making £10m, Pablo Mari going for £6m and Auston Trusty raising £5m.
Stuttgart have also paid the Gunners a percentage of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ transfer to West Ham United from a sell-on clause. But Arteta still wants Arsenal to agree transfers for the likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is subject to interest from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Arsenal also remain open to granting a transfer for Kieran Tierney for the right offer. Edu is fielding enquiries for the left-back with Real Sociedad keen on a loan deal. But the Gunners are demanding that any temporary transfer includes an obligation to make it permanent.
Rob Holding also remains on the fringes at Emirates Stadium after Arsenal rejected an offer from Besiktas for his transfer. The Black Eagles have not returned with an improved bid. But the Istanbul natives are interested in signing Nicolas Pepe if he can leave in a free transfer.
Mikel Arteta’s seven outcasts have varying degrees of late-window interest
Pepe is currently training away from the bulk of Arsenal’s squad as he recovers from a knee injury. Cedric Soares is also working away from Arteta’s team having failed to generate any serious interest so far this summer. No team has even made an approach for the right-back.
Clubs in Germany are interested in signing Nuno Tavares but he would prefer to stay in the Premier League if Arsenal grant his transfer. The left-back has had interest from Nottingham Forest but they have now moved on from him. While Aston Villa are pushing for a loan deal.
West Ham are also monitoring Tavares’ situation but have not made a formal approach as of yet. While Arsenal expect a late-window bidding war regarding Folarin Balogun’s transfer as he refuses to go out on loan again. Premier League clubs and Monaco are interested in him.
So, while Gabriel will likely stay at Arsenal, Arteta hopes Balogun, Cedric, Holding, Lokonga, Pepe, Tavares and Tierney secure transfers. Should sporting director Edu receive substantial enough fees for the seven outcasts, the Gunners may also look to land another signing, too.