Thomas Tuchel looks set to indirectly affect whether Mikel Srteta can keep Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal as Chelsea intensify their efforts to sign Matthijs de Ligt - an Antonio Rudiger replacement. The Juventus defender has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, and his departure could trigger a domino effect which casts doubt over the Brazil international's future.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian giants have shortlisted Gabriel as a potential replacement for De Ligt. With the west Londoners believed to be favourites to sign the 22-year-old, Chelsea could usher Juventus into signing one of the Gunners' leading defenders.
Gabriel, who sees his current contract at the Emirates Stadium expire in 2025, featured 34 times for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, steering the north Londoners within touching distance of clinching Champions League qualification. The 24-year-old has impressed since arriving from Lille two years ago, attracting the interest of Europe's leading sides.
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He has quickly become a pillar in Arteta's backline, welding a promising bond with centre-half partner Ben White. Though that link could be broken by the Italian giants, highlighting another reason as to why Chelsea should push ahead and sign De Ligt.
Last month, newspapers Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport reported that Juventus sporting director Federico Cherubini travelled to London for talks with Arsenal chiefs over a deal for the defender. It's believed that - at the time of meeting - the Gunners demanded at least €50million (around £42m).
However, despite Gabriel's increasingly uncertain future at Arsenal amid Chelsea's transfer business, Arteta expects another busy summer of incomings. The Gunners have already signed Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, with many more deals reportedly in the pipeline.
When asked if he expects another busy summer in terms of player recruitment, the Gunners boss said: "I am expecting so, yes. I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers. You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Chelsea are in pole position to sign De Ligt this summer, despite having already had an initial bid rejected. The Blues offered Juve €45million (£38.9million) and Timo Werner in exchange for De Ligt, which was rebuffed.
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