Mikel Arteta applauds the Arsenal followers after the 1-0 win over Chelsea (Photograph by Alex Pantling/Getty Pictures)
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has lengthy been the topic of switch curiosity from the Saudi Professional League, in accordance with Charles Watts.
Talking solely to CaughtOffside for his newest Each day Briefing column, Watts made it clear that the Gunners have beforehand had fears concerning the Brazil worldwide leaving.
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There was hypothesis about Gabriel’s future in the beginning of the 2023/24 season, which led to the previous Lille man being left on the bench for just a few video games.
Watts says this was to do with Saudi switch curiosity, even when supervisor Mikel Arteta denied it on the time.
It might now be that Gabriel is focused once more this summer time, although Watts insists the 27-year-old is without doubt one of the perfect centre-backs on the planet, so ought to price as a lot as £100m.
Gabriel Magalhaes switch scenario defined by Arsenal knowledgeable Charles Watts
Gabriel Magalhaes reacts throughout Arsenal’s win over Chelsea (Photograph by Alex Pantling/Getty Pictures)
“The curiosity from Saudi Arabia in Gabriel Magalhaes is nothing new, it dates again a few years now,” Watts mentioned.
“In the summertime of 2023 there have been fears at Arsenal that Gabriel’s head had been turned by the cash that was on supply, which was why he was omitted of the staff in these early video games that season.
“Mikel Arteta publicly mentioned it was tactical, nevertheless it wasn’t. It was due to what was happening behind the scenes with the curiosity from Saudi.
“Arsenal didn’t need to lose him and finally Gabriel stayed put, with Arteta swiftly restoring him to his beginning XI as soon as the scenario was put to mattress.
“Since then Gabriel has clearly gone to type what, in my view, is the most effective centre-back partnership within the Premier League and presumably even the world with William Saliba.
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“So the very last thing Arsenal would need this summer time is a repeat of what occurred in 2023, however it could be no shock if the curiosity from Saudi did end in a agency supply, though at this stage it’s a bit too early to recommend it positively will.
“Clearly each participant has a value, so I can’t sit right here and say Arsenal mustn’t even ponder a sale ought to a bid arrive, nevertheless it must be large to tempt them into doing enterprise – over £100m in my view.
“Gabriel is so vital to this staff at each ends of the pitch. He’s comfortably my Arsenal participant of the season and together with Saliba he’s the bedrock that the aspect is constructed on.”