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Arsene Wenger Confirms Talks ‘Progressing Well’ Over £15m Signing

By mac14 on January 22, 2015

Arsene Wenger has confirmed talks over a £15m deal to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista are progressing well.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with the 24-year-old this month and reports yesterday suggested that a deal was close after we apparently agreed to pay the centre-backs €20m (£15m) buy-out clause.

It appears those reports were accurate as Arsene has now revealing that talks are progressing well, with the boss also confirming the price is £15m and says he’s prepared to pay it for a ‘good player’.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this morning ahead of Sunday FA Cup clash with Brighton, Arsene told reporters:

“Talks are progressing quite well. It is £15m. We are ready to pay the right price for a good player.”

It’s very unusual for the boss to be so open about transfers and he normally only speaks like this when he’s 99% confident a deal will be done.

So based on that, we can only assume a deal is close for us to sign Gabriel.

Reports suggest that the stumbling block is gaining a work permit as he’s not capped by Brazil but the club are understood to be confident of pleading their case at an appeal hearing if the application is rejected.

Wenger on Gabriel Paulista: "Talks are progressing quite well. It is £15m. We are ready to pay the right price for a good player." #AFC

— Kevin Palmer (@kpsundayworld) January 22, 2015