Arsenal have been handed a boost in their hopes of vending off interest for Gabriel Magalhaes this summer. The defender’s future has been linked elsewhere in recent weeks after starting the first two Premier League games on the bench.
The 25-year-old came on in the final four minutes of the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest before helping the Gunners see out a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Mikel Arteta has insisted that the decision to leave the Brazilian out was tactical, but that hasn’t stopped reports linking him with a move elsewhere. Juventus were said to be interested earlier in the window, with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad emerging as contenders to sign him and Real Madrid said to be admirers.
Talks of the former Lille man leaving the club were quickly dismissed by Arteta following the win over Palace on Monday and Arsenal have now been handed further reassurance of keeping hold of their man. According to reports in France, Al-Ittihad have turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos.
The experienced centre-back recently committed his long-term future to the French giants in May, but the lure of a move to the Middle East has turned a number of high-profile player’s heads this summer. It’s understood that Marquinhos wants to stay in Paris and isn’t interested in Al-Ittihad’s pay rise offer.
Whilst a move for Marquinhos seems unlikely, it seems that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are now looking for alternatives. And to make matters even better for Arsenal, Al-Ittihad face a registration issue too.
Rules permit each club to have eight foreign players within their squad. They currently have nine meaning they will have to offload one before they can bring another big-name into the country.
Right now, Gabriel remains part of Arteta’s squad and could retain his place in the starting XI against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
