Journalist Charles Watts has said that Arsenal fans should prepare for continued speculation linking Gabriel with a move to Juventus – but has stated that it could come to nothing.
With Matthijs de Ligt set to leave the Italian giants for Bayern Munich, the Old Lady have reportedly identified Gabriel as a replacement (as per TuttoMercatoWeb).
The same source suggests that the north London club would require €47m (£39.8m) to sanction a transfer, having signed the Brazilian for £27m two summers ago.
Juve, however, do have other targets which could ease the Gooners’ worries as they fight with Inter to sign Gleison Bremer from their neighbours, Torino.
Watts is hoping that could cool their interest in Mikel Arteta’s trusted centre-back and has revealed what he has been told by his Italian colleague Romeo Agresti.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:
Will Arsenal make a new signing before the start of the new season?
Yes
No
“Hopefully it’s not going to get too many headlines and not going to get too much focus.
“It sounds like they’re very, very close to getting Bremer as well, who from what I understand, I was speaking to Romeo Agresti, who’s a Goal correspondent for Juventus over in Italy – brilliant reporter, really got his fingers in the pies over there, he knows exactly what’s going on – I was speaking to him about it, and he was saying that they do like Gabriel, he is a player on their list but they know it’s going to be a really difficult one to try and do, seems like Bremer is a priority.
“Pau Torres as well they like, so I think we’re going to hear a lot about the potential of Gabriel and Juventus over the next couple of days maybe just because De Ligt has now seemingly gone, but I’m hoping that it’s not going to get too much.”
TIF Thoughts on Gabriel and Arsenal…
The 24-year-old was a constant in Arteta’s side last season, missing just three Premier League games and scoring five goals in his second campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
He has emerged as the Spanish coach’s commanding central defender starting in 35 successive league matches following his recovery from injury at the start of the most recent term.
Being a left-footed player, he has proved crucial to the side, with a 7.02 SofaScore rating for the season only bettered by Bukayo Saka and completing the highest amount of passes per game with 52.1, as well as boasting an 89% pass completion rate.
Losing Gabriel would certainly be a blow for Arteta, especially considering the work the board have done this summer to enhance his squad.