Happy days for Wenger as the centre back will be the Gunners second signing of the January transfer window.
Respected Spanish journalist Kike Marin has confirmed that Arsenal have a deal in place for Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista.
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The reporter for El Confidencial tweeted that there was now an agreement in place between the two clubs with a deal being struck for around €18 million, just short of the Brazilian’s supposed €20m release clause.
Marin said the player could now be travelling to England to complete his medical and the usual formalities.
@Arsenal Agreement between #Arsenal and #Villarreal for the transfer of Gabriel. About 18 million € The player could be traveling to London.
— Kike Marin** (@Kike_Marin_) January 24, 2015
The move represents something of a coup for Arsene Wenger who has managed to acquire Gabriel at a reasonable fee for such a highly regarded player.
However, the deal could have come at a price with Marin also confirming that the terms of the agreement will see Joel Campbell play with the Yellow Submarine until the end of the season on-loan.
There had earlier been speculation about the Costa Rican forward’s part in any move for Gabriel after he was missing from the Gunners pre-FA Cup training.
@Arsenal #RealSociedad had agreed with agent Joel Campbell, but #Arsenal closed according with Villarreal. Until June. — Kike Marin** (@Kike_Marin_) January 24, 2015
Marin’s claims were later confirmed by Costa Rican journalist Juan Carlos Agüero who says that Campbell will also sign a new contract with the Gunners before heading to Spain.
There’s an agreement with Joel Campbell & Villarreal. Just waiting him to sign Arsenal extension before he goes on loan
— Juan Carlos Agüero (@juankaguerom) January 24, 2015
Whilst Wenger will be happy to have finally acquired a defensive backup after seeing his squad struggle with injuries in the first half of the season, Arsenal fans may now have question marks about their attack with Sanogo, Podolski and now Campbell leaving on loan.
Have the Gunners sacrificed strength in numbers up front to solve their inadequacies at the back?