Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are on the brink of completing the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.
Arsenal have beaten the likes of Napoli and Manchester United to the Brazilian centre-halve’s services after agreeing a £27million fee with the Ligue 1 club.
Arteta has made strengthening his defence a priority this summer and had already sanctioned new deals for Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and David Luiz.
William Saliba has also returned from his loan spell at Saint-Etienne and will compete for a first team spot along with impending new arrival Gabriel.
‘Everything is okay when both parties sign,’ said Arteta. ‘Sometimes that in the last stages isn’t easy but we are pretty positive we can do it.
‘When we get him I will be pleased. He’s a player we followed and we’re determined he’s the right profile for our squad.’
More to follow…
