Italian giants Juventus are showing interest in Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães, according to Gianluca di Marzio. With Giorgio Chiellini potentially set to depart this summer, the Old Lady will need a new centre-back.
Juventus Showing Interest in Gabriel Magalhães
A Strong Fit
Should Chiellini depart, Juventus will be thin in the centre-back department. They will be left with Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs de Ligt and Daniele Rugani. De Ligt remains a top option, whereas Rugani is a depth option. Bonucci is 35-years-old, and will soon be approaching the end of his career. The club are struggling this season compared to years prior, so they’ll be looking for reinforcements across the board. At one point the club was looking at Antonio Rudiger, but Real Madrid stepped into that deal. This is where Gabriel comes in.
He’s standing out in Arsenal’s defence as the English club is fighting for a spot in next season’s Champions League. Gabriel is physically gifted and a strong defender. He’s also full of stamina, constantly playing matches from start to finish. In the past, Juventus thrived through defensive power. The club will be looking to re-enter that mould with Gabriel.
Acquiring Gabriel will not be easy as he’s an important player for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. Juventus, however, plan on using midfielder Arthur in the negotiations, per Di Marzio. Arsenal can use upgrades in that department as well.
Gabriel is now 24-years-old. This fits well with de Ligt’s timeline, as the Dutchman is 22-years-old. Arsenal paid €26 million to purchase the Brazilian, and he has now made 65 appearances for the club. Surely, his value has skyrocketed since arriving in London.
Juventus will be hard at work this summer working on upgrading the squad. They’ll be back in the Champions League, but they’re not the same domestic and continental force they were just a couple of seasons ago.
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