Arteta disrupts interest in Arsenal star from Real Madrid as Fabrizio Romano reveals astonishing €200m valuation
Gabriel is a target for Real Madrid and Al Ittihad
Fabrizio Romano has spoken out to deny reports Arsenal are surprisingly considering the £100m sale of Gabriel Magalhaes this summer amid claims Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia Pro-League side Al Ittihad had been given encouragment over a move.
The Brazil defender is highly-rated by Mikel Arteta, having been a virtual ever-present whenever he has been available. A £27m signing from Lille in September 2020, Gabriel has made 121 appearances for the Gunners and formed a solid defensive partnership with William Saliba.
Nonetheless, speculation of late has suggested a departure from Emirates Stadium could be on the cards. And that speculation heated up after the defender was left out of their line-up for the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the season.
Interest in the 25-year-old, who has surprisingly never been capped by his country, has emerged from Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad. However, amid claims Arsenal could be open to a deal, Gabriel has also found himself linked with Real Madrid, who have lost Eder Militao for several months after a cruciate ligament injury.
Arsenal have spent around £210m this summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and the unfortunate Jurrien Timber, and will need to make some sales before bringing any more players in.
As such, the Daily Mail reported that they hope to raise around £180m through the sales of Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun – who Charles Watts exclusively told us is nearing a £50m exit to the Premier League – and Gabriel.
Of the two sides touted with an interest in the Brazilian, the strongest interest appears to come from Al Ittihad.
And while Real Madrid are keen, they are reportedly keen to make a late window swoop for Kylian Mbappe to boost their forward line. Signing both Mbappe and Gabriel is simply not a viable option for Los Blancos.
Arteta puts lofty €200m fee on Gabriel as Arsenal transfer talk ends
That could leave the Saudi side as sole suitors, though it seems that the star – who only signed a new deal last October – is now destined to stay.
However, Arteta has absolutely zero interest in cashing in on his centre-half with Fabrizio Romano revealing the astonishing valuation he places on his head.
Speaking to Kick, Romano said: “The first negotiation between Al Ittihad and Gabriel Magalhaes is something that sources close to Arsenal and also close to the player consider almost impossible.
“Arsenal have no intention to sell Gabriel Magalhaes, they consider him a very important player.
“My sources, yesterday, when I was asking, they told me not even €200m (£170m) will convince Arsenal to let Gabriel Magalhaes go. So, at the moment, Gabriel is staying at Arsenal. This is very strong and clear.”
With Arteta making clear his wish to retain Gabriel’s services – particularly in light of the potential season-ending injury to Timber – talk of the Brazilian’s exit in the papers can surely now be put to bed.
Instead, the Gunners will hope to offload Tierney and Balogun, while they also plan to bid farewell to one-time club-record signing Nicolas Pepe. The France winger looks destined to move to Saudi Arabia himself after dismissing a possible move to Besiktas.
