Valencia manager Marcelino has confirmed the La Liga’s club’s interest in Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista.
The Spanish side are reportedly tracking Gabriel, along with Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo and Porto’s Ivan Marcano, and when asked by Tuttomercatoweb whether they are interested in the three defenders, Marcelino said he thought deals could happen to bring the players to the Mestalla:
“I think it’s possible: we talk about important footballers who already know our championship. This is important, so adaptation would be very quick.”
Gabriel is currently sidelined with a knee injury that he sustained on the final day of the last season in a 3-1 win against Everton. He has not featured in pre-season despite expectations he would have returned to full fitness at the end of last month.
With Arsene Wenger employing a back three this season, it is uncertain whether the Frenchman would allow the 26 year old to leave the club. The likes of Nacho Monreal, Rob Holding and Sead Kolasinac will also be in the running with Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Per Mertesacker for centre back places his season so it remains to be seen what role the Brazilian will be given heading into the new Premier League campaign.
