Arsenal have reportedly listed 10 players they’ll offload as they look to raise funds ahead of a deal for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
The centre-back is much sought after having played in 24 of Lille’s 28 matches in a curtailed 2019-20 Ligue 1 campaign.
Widespread reports on Thursday claimed that the 22-year-old was set to fly into London for a medical, with a deal to move to the Emirates agreed.
But a report in the Daily Telegraph says that the defender has delayed a decision on signing, with the Brazilian expecting an offer to come in from Manchester United instead.
While the Daily Mail also reckons Manchester City and PSG could make late bids for the defender. However, both reports maintain that Arsenal are still favourites.
And now The Times claims that they are ‘closing in on signing a five-year contract’.
Lille president Gerard Lopez thinks Gabriel will make his mind up over which club to join by the weekend.
“We gave him plenty of time to make a decision,” Lopez said. “We gave him some advice but in the end, he and his entourage will make a choice and we will support it.”
The Times adds that the proposed deal for Gabriel will mean that Arsenal have listed ten players ‘in a bid to reduce the wage bill and balance the books’.
Arsenal will attempt to ‘offload four defenders including Rob Holding and Calum Chambers.
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They have also transfer-listed four midfielders, including Mattéo Guendouzi, and two forwards’.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
