Arsenal in talks to hand player linked with Real Madrid move last summer improved deal | OneFootball

Arsenal have opened initial talks with Brazil international centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes over an improved deal following his excellent performances this term, according to the Daily Mail.

The 26-year-old was on the radar of Saudi Pro League clubs and Real Madrid last summer after starting the season on the bench, but he has since re-established himself as a key player for the Gunners.

Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille in 2020 before signing a new contract in October 2022, and he still has over two years left on that deal.

The Gunners are not in a rush to agree new terms with the centre-back, but initial talks have been positive and will proceed in the coming weeks.

Arsenal recently handed Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu a new deal and plan to extend Italian midfielder Jorginh’s contract o before it expires at the end of the campaign.

William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White have also had their deals extended in recent months, and Gabriel could follow in their footsteps.

The defender has played 164 games across all competitions for the Gunners, weighing in with an impressive return of 15 goals.

He is one of the reasons Arsenal have conceded the least goals (26) in the Premier League this season.

His partnership with Saliba in central defence has made Arsenal a force to be reckoned with again, and he deserves an improved contract.

Arsenal will be desperate to end their title drought this term having not won it since 2004, and Gabriel is concentrating on that before talks over a new deal are accelerated after the campaign ends.