Arsenal completes official transfer of Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal have officially confirmed the transfer of Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners struck a £27million deal with the Ligue 1 side and Gabriel, 22, has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s outfit beat off competition from Manchester United and Napoli to sign the Brazilian centre-half, who was a key member of a Lille side that finished fourth in France’s top flight last season.
He started all six of their games in the Champions League, including two against Chelsea, but was in the stands for Lille’s 2020/21 season opener against Rennes on Saturday ahead of his move to the Premier League.
Daily Times reports that Gabriel is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer after the Gunners landed his compatriot Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea.
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It’s the second time Arsenal have signed a player from Lille in the past 12 months, having bought Nicolas Pepe for £72m last summer.
Gabriel had loan spells with Troyes and Dynamo Zagreb before establishing himself at Lille, where he forged a partnership with former Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte. Fonte revealed Gabriel had been quizzing him about life in the Premier League ahead of a move to the Emirates.
According to Metro Sports, Gabriel said, ‘I think it’s quite public, to be honest. The club have allowed him to speak with other clubs and he’s in the process of moving. ‘It’s just about him choosing which club, which is a great position to be in. He just needs to choose where he wants to go so that’s fantastic.
‘They are all good clubs so I’m very happy for him. He’s a great player.
‘We need to understand that it’s every player’s dream to play in the Premier League and he’s been asking questions about the Premier League and clubs in the Premier League so I try to give the best and honest opinions.
‘Hopefully he will make his decision and he will be very successful with it. I have no doubt about it.’ Arsenal will face Liverpool on Saturday in the Community Shield before kicking off their Premier League campaign against Fulham next month.
