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Arsenal in talks to sign 22-year-old as Arteta looks to pull-off £72m double swoop

By on August 11, 2020

Gabriel-Magalhaes

According to the Independent, Arsenal are in talks with Lille over a potential deal for Gabriel Magalhaes while Mikel Arteta is also targeting a big-money swoop for Thomas Partey this summer.

The boss knows he needs to strengthen his defence as Arsenal were woeful at the back for much of last season and another centre-back is still on the agenda despite the arrival of William Saliba and Pablo Mari.

Gabriel has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks and the Independent claims that Arsenal have opened talks with Lille over a possible deal after scouting the defender extensively.

The newspaper suggests the 22-year-old will cost around £27m [€30m] and Lille have already signed Sven Botman as a replacement but Arsenal could face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Napoli and Everton for his signature.

Gabriel came close to agreeing a move to Everton back in March before the proposed deal was derailed by the pandemic while Napoli have also reportedly held discussions to sign the Brazilian but need to offload Kalidou Koulibaly first.

Arsenal will also have to sell to raise funds before any deal for Gabriel can be completed and the likes of Sokratis, Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi could all be sold to help raise transfer money.

Gabriel would be a hugely exciting addition to Arteta’s squad as he’s developed into one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Ligue 1 having starred for Lille last season so let’s hope we can get it done.

Arsenal are also in the market for midfield reinforcements as that’s been another weak area in the team and the Independent claims we’re still hoping to land Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey.

The 27-year-old has been strongly touted as Arteta’s first choice midfield target this summer after impressing at the heart of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side in recent years.

The La Liga outfit are trying to tie him down to a new contract but Partey has so far refused to sign an extension and is reportedly keen on the idea of coming to the Premier League.

The Independent says the Ghana international will cost around £45m [€50m] due to a clause in his contract and Atletico are unlikely to sell for anything less as they’re reluctant to let him go.

Arsenal will need to offload some players to raise that kind of money and Matteo Guendouzi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira and Alexandre Lacazette have all been linked with moves away from north London.

If we can sell those four players for good money then we’ll have plenty of funds to pull off a £72m double swoop for Gabriel and Partey, plus have some left over to further strengthen the squad with.

It sounds like it’s going to be a busy few weeks ahead at Arsenal. Let’s hope we can get our business done quickly so Arteta is happy with his squad ahead of the new season.

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