Arsenal will halt their interest in Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin and turn their attention to Villarreal’s Gabriel Paulista instead.
Perrin previously claimed that the Gunners had approached him about a possible transfer this month, but L’Equipe now claims Arsene Wenger has decided against a move for the 29-year-old.
The French publication suggests Arsenal have lost interest in Perrin and says Paulista is now their main priority.
The 24-year-old Brazilian signed for Villarreal from Vitoria in summer 2013 and made 21 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga side in his debut season. This season, Paulista has become a regular, featuring 26 times already for the Yellow Submarines.
Although naturally a centre-back, Paulista can also play anywhere across the back-line but due to the defender not being capped by Brazil, a work permit could prove difficult to grant.
If Arsenal are keen to bring Paulista, who still has three-and-a-half years left to run on his existing deal, to the Emirates then Wenger could get him cheaper than expected by offering Joel Campbell as part of any potential deal, with Villarreal reportedly keen on the Costa Rican forward.
But while Paulista’s versatility would be welcomed, obtaining a work permit remains the major stumbling block in this deal and, if not granted, the Brazilian will not feature for us until he does.
