Arsenal’s transfer business will kick in to overdrive this month as they look to clear up some space for the likes of Thomas Lemar and Jean Michael Seri.
And the latest casualty of Arsene Wenger’s ruthless selling this summer looks to be Gabriel Paulista, who is being strongly eyed up by La Liga side, Valencia.
According to the latest reports from several outlets today, Wenger will let the 26-year-old go in search of regular football as he looks to raise significant transfer funds and decrease an ever-growing wage bill.
Valencia’s boss Marcelino Garcia Toral is searching for a new centre-back after losing former Man City man, Eliaquim Mangala, and confirmed his interest when asked about Gabriel:
I think they are possible (signing players including Gabriel).
We’re talking about important players who already know our league.
They speak Spanish, and that’s important, so their adaptation would be very quick.
Gabriel has failed to hit the heights at Arsenal and as he enters his fourth season with the club, he still doesn’t look like a player capable of starting week in, week out.
The language barrier has been a real issue for the Brazilian and the opportunity to be Valencia’s main man at the back could tempt him to hang up his Arsenal shirt.
This will be just the first of many departures for the club to deal with after Arsene Wenger told seven players they were allowed to leave this summer, given the quality already in the squad.
With Rob Holding surprising all of us with his maturity and the change of formation to suit a three-at-the-back defence, there isn’t even a proper position for Gabriel.
His stint at covering Hector Bellerin at right-back will have been ended by the implementation of wing-backs, making it difficult to see Gabriel playing unless we’re hit by an injury crisis.
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