Transfer news: Arsenal close to signing Gabriel Magalhaes after £27m fee agreed with Lille

Brazillian defender Gabriel Magalhaes is close to joining Arsenal after a fee in the region of £27m was agreed with Lille for the player.

Arsenal fended off competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who held late discussions with the player’s representatives, Everton, Italian club Napoli, and even interests from French champions PSG to sign the 22-year-old.

The player sat out Lille’s opening day 1-1 draw with Rennes, watching from the stands on Saturday and is due in London in the next 48 hours to complete a medical.

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Gabriel was a vital part of the Lille side that finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and also started each of their games in the Champions League, including twice against Chelsea.

The Brazilian center-back is set to join Mikel Arteta’s revamped defence that will also be boosted by the arrival of William Saliba, 19, who was signed from St Etienne for £27m last summer but was loaned back to the French club for the 2019/20 season.

David Luiz also signed a new one-year contract at Arsenal in June, while Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares made their loan moves permanent from Flamengo and Southampton respectively.

In addition to the deals for Mari and Soares, Arsenal have also signed Brazilian winger Willian after the 32-year-old contract expired at Chelsea. Willian signed a three-year deal with Arsenal until 2023.

Gabriel will be Arsenal’s second signing from Lille in the space of 12 after Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe’s £72m move to the Emirates from the French club last summer.