The agent of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes has played down speculation suggesting a move to Arsenal is imminent, telling Gooner Talk that ‘nothing is agreed’ just yet.
Despite operating on what many publications have described as a shoestring budget, the seemingly cash-strapped Gunners appear to be on the verge of completing their second eye-catching signing of the window already.
Former Chelsea winger Willian adds proven Premier League quality to a somewhat erratic front line.
But Arsenal’s real problems lie at the other end of the pitch.
With that in mind, the arrival of ‘one of the top five dominant central defenders in Europe’, to use a claim from Lille president Gerard Lopez, would go a long way to solving a long-standing Achilles heel (Sky).
ESPN reported on Tuesday that the North London giants had made a bid of £22 million and were expected to beat Manchester United, PSG and Everton to the Brazilian’s signature.
Absolutely no one should be celebrating a done deal just yet, however.
“There is nothing agreed with any club,” Gabriel’s agent, Luis Fernando Menezes Garcia, told Gooner Talk.
Considering that left-footed centre-halves are like hen’s teeth in this day and age, Arsenal could give themselves an almighty pat on the back if they manage to nab two of these rare beasts in the same year.
In Pablo Mari, the Gunners already have a left-footed defender who is just as comfortable with the ball as he is without it.
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