Arsenal have agreed a £13.4 million fee with Villarreal to sign Gabriel Paulista, according to several reports.
The centre-back, who can also play on either side of the defence, is set to join the Gunners after much intense speculation with 22-year-old Joel Campbell reportedly going in the opposite direction on loan for the remainder of the season, according to Villarreal.
Arsene Wenger was desperate to sign a new defender this month and suggested it would be ‘risky’ not to add to his defensive options, and decided to target the versatile 24-year-old.
Arsenal tested the water by lodging a £6 million bid for Paulista in mid-week, but it was rejected by Villarreal. But a fee has finally been agreed and the versatile defender is expected to fly to London to undergo a medical.
The £13.4 million fee falls slightly short of the player’s reported £15 million release clause, but the stumbling block for Arsenal in this deal being wrapped up is obtaining a work permit for the uncapped Brazilian, which has proven difficult in the past.
As for Campbell it will be his fourth loan spell away from the Emirates since joining Arsenal in 2011, having spent time at Lorient, Betis and Olympiacos. But the Costa Rican is clearly not in Wenger’s first-team plans, having only started two games this season.
