Gabriel Magalhaes keen on Arsenal, but Man Utd not out of the running yet | OneFootball

Gabriel Magalhaes is said to be keen on a move to Arsenal this summer, despite strong interest in the highly-rated Lille defender from Manchester United.

The Brazilian centre-back is the latest promising talent to come off the Lille production line and has been monitored by a host of Europe’s leading clubs following his performances this season, Arsenal and United joining the likes of Napoli and Everton in expressing an interest in the 22-year-old.

Both sides are keen to strengthen their defensive options this summer, and according to French publication La Voix du Nord, Arsenal have held talks with Gabriel’s representatives, the report saying that the defender would now ‘like to join the Gunners’.

It does however also point out that Manchester United still have the ‘advantage’ of being able to offer Champions League football, and have ‘not yet said their last word’.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have made the signing of a pacey central defender a priority this summer, the Norwegian having been heard telling Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake of the Red Devils’ interest in signing a ‘left-footed centre-back’, before the Dutchman’s move to rivals Manchester City.

Gabriel is believed to be valued in the region of €30m and Lille will hope the Premier League interest in the player can start a bidding war for their latest developing talent, the club having already sanctioned the sale of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen to Napoli for an initial fee of €50m.

Meanwhile, the report adds that Everton’s pursuit has ‘run out of steam’.

Scout Report: What can highly-rated defender Gabriel Magalhaes offer Premier League sides?

See also – Five of the worst Premier League signings from last summer’s transfer window