Wenger was always very clear he wanted a defensive player from the January transfer window and that seems to be exactly what he is about to secure as the window enters its final days.
The £15million Gabriel Paulista will be an Arsenal player on Monday and Arsene Wenger confirmed after the 3-2 win over Brighton that the Brazilian centre-back deal was close.
“It is on the line,” Wenger said of the move “and I think we will get it over the line [Sunday] night or tomorrow [Monday].” Villarreal had confirmed on Saturday evening that Gabriel was on his way to London, with manager Marcelino saying that “neither the club nor the player could afford to resist Arsenal’s offer.”
The 24-year-old central-defender from Sao Paulo joined Villareal in 2013 from Vitoria, making his debut in the 1-1 home draw with Atletico Madrid. Gabriel made a total of 49 appearances for Villareal over two seasons and Wenger will be keen to get the player integrated as soon as possible. The player is said to lack the passing flair required to do well at Arsenal according to Nayim and Marcelino but Wenger clearly disagrees.
Video of Paulista in action vs Real Madrid – September 2014:
Paulista was named the best central defender of Campeonato Baiano whilst at Vitoria in 2012 and 2013. The Campeonato Baiano is the football league of the state of Bahia in Brazil which has been played without interruption since 1905 and contains 12 teams.
Source: DSG
