Arsenal lead the race for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal are in the market for players who will strengthen the squad and solve key issues. One of the issues to be addressed is the defence position or central defence in particular.

Arsenal currently have 7 centre-back’s, 3 of them are set to miss out on the beginning of the 2020/21 season due to injury(Mustafi, Chambers & Mari) while Holding and Luiz lack consistency.

The other two centre-backs are Sokratis who continues to be linked with an exit and Saliba, a promising young defender with no Premier League experience.

This has left Arteta with no choice but to pursue the singing of a defender and the latest name to be linked to Arsenal is Lille’s Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

A report from France bleu states that Arsenal have taken pole position to land the defender from Lille this summer, getting an advantage over Serie A side Napoli.

The 22-year-old has been linked with several other clubs, including Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United after having an impressive season with the Ligue 1 side.

Gabriel in an aerial duel with Willian who is also an Arsenal target

Gabriel possesses strength, aerial dominance and pace traits that most of the Arsenal defenders lack.

He will reportedly cost a fee in the region of €35m although it is yet to be officially reported whether the Gunners have tabled an official offer the defender, rumours suggested a £24m offer has been submitted.

Should Arsenal sign him up he would improve Arsenal’s defence and finally solve the long term issue the Gunners have faced.