Gabriel Paulista set to complete Arsenal transfer after clubs agree Joel Campbell plus cash deal

Arsenal and Villareal have agreed on a player plus cash deal for defender Gabriel Paulista with Joel Campbell moving to the other side.

Arsenal are set to complete move for Villareal defender Gabriel Paulista. After lots of speculation, it is being reported that Arsenal had their bid accepted by Villareal. Even though the valuation was lower than the release clause, the spanish club agreed the move and the player is now on the way to London for medical. Arsenal might offer Joel Campbell as part of the deal as the winger doesn’t look like to be in plan of French Manager Arsene Wenger.

Paulista was not included in the squad that was set to travel to Levante to play a La Liga fixture. But even if the deal completes, Arsenal will need to wait for the work permit of the Brazilian defender which might prove to be a head-ache as it has been for the English clubs for non-European players.

With Mats Hummels staying at Dortmund, all eyes were on Paulista, who is said to be one of the top players in top five league at the moment. Arsenal’s Per Mertesacked is not having a good season and Laurent Koscienly is struggling with injuries. New signing Callum Chambers is also sidelined with injury and Wenger needs to make a move sooner to put his team’s defensive crisis out of the bay. Wenger has at times played Nacho Monreal in the central defense and it has backfired with run of defensive errors from the natural left back.

Arsenal have already confirmed signing of Polish youngster Bielik and are searching for a defender in the transfer market. Nicolas Otamendi of Valencia was also looked as a potential target but the club backed off after Valencia put a high valuation for the player. Mats Hummels’ decision to stay at Dortmund also ruined the plans of Wenger to make a move for the German International.