Gunners said to be in talks for Villarreal centre back.
With the Daily Telegraph reporting that Arsenal have entered talks for 24 year old Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Paulista, we run down five things Gunners fans everywhere need to know about their potential defensive, January signing.
He looks like a fantastic signing, and is exactly the kind of player Arsenal fans have been clamouring for recently.
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1) Origins
The 24 year old was born in Sao Paulo but was a youth player with Salvadorian club Esporte Clube Vitória and graduated through their youth ranks, making his senior debut in 2010.
Luckily for him, Vitoria won that day beating Camaaçari 3-1.
2) Style of Play
Paulista is very similar in style to Arsenal favourite Laurent Koscielny and is primarily a right sided centre back, but does have experience in both full back positions.
The Brazilian’s major strengths come from his reading of the game and his ability to intercept a pass and prevent a move progressing.
Paulista also has a desire to clear the ball from defence at the first opportunity, a skill Arsenal could sometimes use rather than trying to pass their way out of trouble.
3) Villarreal
After being voted the best central defender in the Campeonato Baiano in 2013, a tournament his side also won. His form saw him earn a move to La Liga side Villarreal where he signed a five year contract in 2013.
His contract also has a £15.25 million release clause but the Telegraph’s report earlier today has stated the Gunners are trying to negotiate a fee of around £6m which could rise to £10m in total.
4) Form
Paulista has played in 19 of Villarreal’s games this season and has picked up a four yellow cards, he’s also featured six times in the Europa league and once in the Copa del Rey.
With the Brazilian at the back, the La Liga side have conceded just 17 goals this season and has been part of a robust defensive set-up which has seen the Spanish side pick up 20 of their last 24 points and go on a 15 game unbeaten run.
5) Work Permit
The only issue that Arsenal could have rather than their difference in valuation of the defender with Villarreal is whether the centre back could get a work permit in England.
As he has yet to play for Brazil, Paulista wouldn’t automatically be allowed one and may instead have to apply for a special talent visa or gain one on appeal. The defender also hasn’t spent the requisite amount of time in Spain to apply for a Spanish passport.
It would be a risky move for the Gunners to sign such an expensive and high profile signing without the requisite paperwork in order so if they are truly targeting Paulista you have to believe they are hopeful he will be grant a work permit.