Arsenal are coming around to the idea of selling Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer transfer window in what would be a real shock decision.
The Brazilian has been a mainstay at the back for Mikel Arteta this season, partnering Ben White in defence after the Englishman was signed from Brighton last year for £50million. The year before was when Gabriel arrived after being pinpointed by the Gunners manager as an ideal target following a fine campaign at Lille.
Arteta likes to have a left-footed defender in his backline to cope with his style of football, playing out from the back, while Gabriel can also pick a pass. But it has been a tough campaign for the north London side in the Premier League.
Having been in the top four for so long with games in hand, the Gunners might just have blown it right at the death after their defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle handed their rivals the advantage. With one game left, the chances of playing in the Champions League next year are incredibly low considering the position they were in.
Arsenal now look set to finish fifth this year while their stats at both ends of the pitch have not been great. They have scored just 56 times, the least in the top seven, and conceded 47 goals – leaving them a pitiful goal difference of just nine.
And in a surprise move, Arteta is considering letting Gabriel leave the club in the summer transfer window with Juventus interested in acquiring his services. According to Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, the Old Lady are very interested in the Brazilian to bolster their defence.
The Italian giants are looking at replacements for Giorgio Chiellini, who will depart at the end of the season after 18 years in Turin, and Gabriel has been identified as the ideal candidate. It is further stated that Arsenal are slowly being convinced to open the door to a transfer.
The Gunners have had trouble selling players in the past, with big stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all leaving for nothing. Arteta has also not been afraid to splash the cash, signing over £150million worth of players last summer.
With two years out of Europe entirely, Arsenal might need to raise funds quickly – especially if the Gunners coach wants to tap into the club's funds yet again to bring in a striker who will not come cheap. It means that they might have to sell players that they might not otherwise consider up for sale, including Gabriel.
The return of William Saliba, who has been a sensation on loan at Marseille this season, might help alleviate the loss of Gabriel by being a ready-made replacement. Juventus also have Arthur Melo as a potential sweetener to the deal with Arsenal reportedly interested in the Brazilian.
