Transfers

Official: Arsenal complete €30m deal for Gabriel Magalhaes

The Brazilian defender is the latest addition to the Gunners' back line as Mikel Arteta's reshaping of the team continues

 
4:35pm on Tuesday 1st September 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes for a fee thought to be in the region of €30m.

The Gunners have been tracking the Lille man for a number of weeks and they have finally secured his signature, the centre-back agreeing a five-year deal at the Emirates.

Gabriel Magalhaes: Player Statistics, Position and Data

Magalhaes was a dominant presence in Lille's central defensive unit last season, playing 2,087 minutes of Ligue 1 football.

He is characterised by being extremely difficult to pass, as represented by his tackle and duel success rate, as well as aerial duels won.

Gabriel goes alongside another Ligue 1 addition, William Saliba, who arrived from St Etienne last month, and he will compete with David Luiz for a starting berth at the heart of Arsenal's back line.

Arteta said of his new arrival: “We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal. He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team.

“He has proved with Lille that he is a defender with many outstanding attributes, and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player.”

The player confirmed via a video call with fellow Brazilians Willian and Luiz that "it was all good, I have already tried on the shirt, it is all done."

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