Arsenal have set their sights on signing 22-year-old defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Ligue 1 side Lille but the move could depend on Premier League rivals Manchester United want.
Man United have shown heavy interest in signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and if the Red Devils do decide to sign the central defender this summer then Napoli will look to bring in Gabriel Magalhaes as a replacement to Koulibaly.
Transfer experts Fabrizio Romano wrote on Twitter: “Gabriel Magalhães: Arsenal are in the race and have started talks with Lille. Napoli still interested but not moving yet because it’ll depend by Koulibaly future. Manchester United just had contacts with his agents but no talks with Lille atm.”
Gabriel Magalhães: Arsenal are in the race and have started talks with Lille. Napoli still interested but not moving yet because it’ll depend by Koulibaly future. Manchester United just had contacts with his agents but no talks with Lille atm. Game on. 🇧🇷 #AFC #MUFC #Napoli
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2020
And if Man United’s interest in Kalidou Koulibaly was not enough, the OT outfit have also been linked with Gabriel Magalhaes over the past couple of days so either way, Arsenal currently find themselves on the back foot.
The 22-year-old was in fine form for Lille during the 2019-20 season having played in 24 league matches and he will be a perfect fit for either Man United or Arsenal.
But as things stand, Man United are the ones who will be leading the line(if they are serious about signing him) since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can offer the youngster Champions League football next season.
Arsenal though will not give up without a fight as their defence has been in shambles this season and signing a top-class central defender is of the utmost priority for their manager.
Gabriel Magalhaes still has three years left on his current deal so Lille are technically in no hurry to sell him off this summer but the Ligue 1 side are ready to cash in if a good offer is made.
