Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel with a deal expected to be completed on Monday.
Villarreal signed the central defender from Vitoria de Bahia in 2013 for a reported fee of £1.5m and he has since gone on to become one of the top performers in the Spanish league, prompting the Brazilian national side to consider a role in their side.
And, that form has seen a number of interested parties make a move this January, however, it now seems that Arsenal have won the race to his signature.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was amongst those interested in the youngster.
In a deal which will be worth £15m, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said following Sunday’s 3-2 win over Brighton in the FA Cup that he expected a deal to be completed on Monday morning.
Wenger told reporters: “They are accurate, it’s very very very close. It should be done I think tomorrow.”
“[He is] a player who’s 24 years old, good size, good pace and a good defender. He plays for only one year in Europe so maybe there are some things to work on but the potential is there.”