Arsenal targeting a left-sided centre-back amid Gabriel Magalhaes speculation
Posted by  badge Boss on May 25, 2022 - 01:00AM
Gabriel Magalhaes is a summer target for Juventus (Picture: Getty)

want to sign a left-sided centre-back with the Gunners steeling themselves for a bid for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Since joining the north club in 2020, Gabriel, 24, has become a mainstay of Mikel Arteta’s defence and has formed a strong partnership at the back with .

Having watched his development at the Emirates, Juventus are reportedly keen on signing the Brazilian as a replacement for the departing veteran Giorgio Chiellini.

Mikel Arteta is aiming to beef up his threadbare squad this summer (Picture: Getty)

According to , Arsenal are targeting a new centre-half who plays on the left side this summer, but claim any new addition will be recruited to act as cover for the former Lille defender.

Arteta would be disappointed to lose his star defender who has played a significant role in his side’s defensive improvement this season.

The north Londoners qualified for the Europa League next term and need a bigger squad to deal with the extra matches.

Speaking earlier this year, Arteta indicated that he wants 22 top-class outfield players.

Pablo Mari is expected to complete a permanent move from Arsenal to Udinese in the summer (Picture: Getty)

Even with Gabriel, it was thought Arsenal would bring in a defensive understudy with only Rob Holding and White the other options in central-defence.

Pablo Mari is expected to complete a permanent transfer to Udinese this summer, while Konstantinos Mavropanos has already signed for Stuttgart.

Meanwhile, starlet William Saliba has suggested he would prefer to remain at Marseille on-loan rather than return to the Emirates.

Aside from his defence, Arteta also needs to improve his attack and is reportedly eyeing a deal for Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.

In midfield, Leicester’s Youri Tielemans is fancied with rumours linking Arsenal with a £25 million bid.

However, with no Champions League football, it remains to be seen whether the club can attract their top targets.

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