Charles Watts, the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, has been discussing the club’s reported interest in Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes during a recent YouTube video.
The 22-year-old Brazilian played 24 times for the Ligue 1 outfit last season prior to the competition being halted due to the global pandemic, starting in 82% of the club’s league fixtures (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk).
The centre-back is said to have attracted the interests of a number of clubs, including Manchester United and Everton – but according to Watts, Arsenal have now put themselves in the running to capture the player.
Here is what he had to say: “Arsenal are in the running for Gabriel, it’s later interest compared to some of the other clubs who have long been speaking to Lille about him. They haven’t submitted an offer as far as I’m aware, nothing formal has been received from Arsenal, but Arsenal are interested in Gabriel. As far as I’m aware, the situation in terms of Lille at the moment is that they haven’t accepted any offers yet, they’re keeping all options open.
“There are very strong reports in France that emerged yesterday that Gabriel has now chosen Arsenal and has set his sights firmly on them after talks this week. I’ve been told that is perhaps not the case and is going a little bit far. I wouldn’t get too excited just yet, but there is certainly interest.”
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According to Transfermarkt.co.uk, Gabriel is valued at £18m but given there are a number of clubs interested in the defender it may be that Arsenal will need to pay significantly more than that in order to get their man.
Gabriel’s average performance rating in the French top-flight last season was a respectable 6.93/10, making him Lille’s fourth-best performer (via WhoScored.com). Taking that into account and his age, you can understand why he appears to be the subject of much interest.