‘A magnificent player… I think he’s the future’: Arsenal legend Martin Keown hails Gabriel Magalhaes as the man to transform Mikel Arteta’s defence ahead of his impending £27m move to England
- Magalhaes set to become Arsenal’s second new Brazilian signing this summer
- A £25m fee with Lille has been agreed and he has reportedly passed a medical
- Keown hopes transfer goes through as defender can secure Arsenal at the back
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has hailed Gabriel Magalhaes as a ‘leader’ ahead of his impending £27m move to the Gunners.
The 22-year-old defender is set to become Arsenal’s second new Brazilian signing this summer after Willian joined on a free transfer from Chelsea.
Keown told BT Sport: ‘He is really strong. quick, left footed player.
Gabriel Magalhaes is set to become Arsenal’s second new Brazilian signing this summer
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has hailed Magalhaes as a ‘leader’ ahead of his impending move
‘i saw him play against Chelsea for Lille last season. A magnificent player, I think he’s the future, he sees danger and he’s a leader.
‘I sincerely hope this transfer does go through and that he becomes an Arsenal player, that will really secure them at the back.’
A £25m fee with Lille has been agreed for the Brazilian defender, who has also reportedly completed his medical and is now waiting for an official announcement from the Gunners.
The 22-year-old Brazilian defender has been tempted by Mikel Arteta and Edu’s project
He will however have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period due to the government’s coronavirus restrictions on travel from France.
That meant he had to miss the Community Shield clash against Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday.
The agent of Magalhaes revealed the defender has turned down ‘more lucrative offers’ ahead of his impending transfer to Arsenal.
The centre-back has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Napoli this summer
The Brazilian centre half has been a man in demand this summer with a host of clubs across Europe interested in signing the 22-year-old, including Manchester United and Napoli.
Journalist Freddie Paxton posted quotes from Miranda on Twitter which read: ‘Arsenal was nowhere near the best proposal [money wise].
‘Gabriel chose them over more lucrative offers because Edu convinced us of the project. It’s 100% because of Edu Gaspar and Arteta.’
