Arsenal are set to announce the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista, after the Spanish club tweeted a farewell message to the Brazilian before their game against Levante.
The 24-year-old centre-back is expected to have his signing confirmed on Sunday, after completing a medical and his work permit is confirmed.
@Arsenal and Villarreal come to a preliminary agreement for the transfer of Gabriel. Best of luck and farewell! pic.twitter.com/mZkGrOgyan
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 24, 2015
The fee agreed between the clubs is rumoured to be around £11 million, although that could be reduced to £10 million due to the fact that Joel Campbell, Arsenal’s Costa Rican forward, seems set to move in the other direction on loan.
BREAKING NEWS: Sky Sources – Arsenal to pay fee in excess of £11 million for Paulista #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) January 24, 2015
Villarreal are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run, and have conceded just 17 La Liga goals this campaign; only Barcelona and Real Madrid have let in fewer.
Gabriel has been a huge part of that with a series of commanding performances, and has, as a result, had comparisons drawn between him and Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny, in that he is remarkably quick for a centre-back, and has made the second-highest number of interceptions in La Liga this season.
As a result, it will be a big setback to the Yellow Submarine’s ambitions to reach the Champions League for the first time since 2009, but the blow will be softened by Campbell’s loan switch until the end of the season.
Welcome @joel_campbell12! Villarreal and @Arsenal agree to loan the player until the end of the season! pic.twitter.com/76YDh2ISbc
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 24, 2015
Campbell, 22, has been at Arsenal since 2011, but had to go out on loan in Europe for three seasons in order to secure a British work permit.
However, despite successful stints at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos, as well as a successful 2014 World Cup, the winger has found first-team opportunities limited at Arsenal, with just ten appearances in all competitions this season, and only four in the Premier League.
Campbell’s departure has been widely expected during January, and it became apparent that a move was imminent after he did not train with Arsenal’s first team on Saturday ahead of their FA Cup Fourth Round trip to Brighton on Sunday.
It has been something of a dream weekend so far for Arsenal fans, after Manchester City, Southampton and Chelsea were all knocked out of the FA Cup, and the signing of Gabriel leaves only a win tomorrow to cap off a fantastic couple of days for the club.
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