Transfer news: Arsenal set for new defender after agreeing on £22 million fee with Lille
Arsenal is said to have beaten a host of top European clubs for the signature of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.
It appears that the Gunners could have started their problem-solving at the back. The defence has needed work for the past couple of transfer windows, with them leaking in goals more often than not.
According to the Daily Mail, the London clubs have beaten rivals Manchester United and Italian club Napoli to the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes, after both clubs have settled on a fee of £22 million for the Brazilian defender.
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"Arsenal have won the race to sign highly-rated Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille after beating off interest from Manchester United and Napoli.The Brazilian centre-back, valued at £22million, has been coveted by a host of teams this summer after an impressive season and now the Gunners have agreed a deal to take him to the Emirates ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. (Via: The Daily Mail)"
The good relationship between Arsenal and Lille
When/if the deal is finalised, Gabriel will be the second player to move from Stade Pierre Mauroy to the Emirates. The Gunners record-breaking transfer of £72 million for Nicolas Pepe being the first.
The defender has helped the French side to a top-four finish, something that will be needed when is based in London. The North Londoners endured a rough 2019-2020 campaign, ending eighth in the Premier League.
The English club conceded 48 goals for the term. This was the third-highest tally of the clubs finishing in the top half of the standings. Only Burnley in 10th place (50 goals conceded) and Chelsea in fourth place (54 goals conceded) have let in more goals of the top-10 finishers.
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Despite the poor defensive record, Arsenal ended their campaign on a good note with an FA Cup gold medal. The work done by Mikel Arteta was noticeable. Of the 13 games played across all competitions after Project Restart, Arsenal managed to keep four clean sheets.
Yet, there is still much work to be done at the back. During all of these 13 fixtures, they conceded 14 goals. That’s just over a goal a game. With the inclusion of Gabriel Magalhaes, a player that Arteta wants at Arsenal, the club could see a strong build on these late and positive defensive figures.