Arsenal hopeful of completing Gabriel deal

Arsenal are hopeful of
completing the signing of
Villarreal defender Gabriel
Paulista in the coming days,
Goal understands.
The Gunners are in advanced talks over the transfer of the
Brazilian centre-back, who has a buy-out clause of €20
million, and the player's agent is in London to try to
finalise the deal.
Signing Gabriel is complicated by the work permit criteria
applied to the transfer of players outside the EU - only
those who have started 75 per cent of their national side's
matches over the previous two years automatically qualify
and the 24-year-old has yet to receive a senior cap for
Brazil.
There is, however, an appeals process run by the Football
Association on behalf of the Home Office that allows for
the rules to be relaxed if it can be demonstrated that the
player is "of the highest calibre" and "is able to contribute
significantly to the development of the game at the top
level in England".
Arsenal are optimistic about the prospect of meeting these
appeal requirements in the case of Gabriel, who has
impressed this season in a Villarreal defence that ranks as
the joint-third best in La Liga, conceding just 17 goals in
19 games.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly asserted his
desire to sign a central defender in January, having
embarked on this season with just six senior defenders to
cover four positions.
Earlier this week Gabriel confirmed his agent was in talks
with Arsenal , saying: "Whether I go to Arsenal or stay at
Villarreal, I won't lose my head. I'm very calm.
"My head is at Villarreal and I'm very focused. My agent is
working on making sure I continue being calm."
And on Tuesday, Villarreal boss Marcelino admitted his
club would be open to doing a deal: "I hadn't considered
selling Gabriel, it's bad news from a sporting point of view.
"If both Gabriel and the club believe that his sale to
Arsenal is the best for all parties, we will accept."
Courtesy: goal news
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