The Villarreal official website has tonight confirmed that Arsenal have signed Gabriel Armando de Abreu, better known as Gabriel Paulista.
The news crashed the Villarreal website as Gooners in their millions clicked on the link to find out more information but their offical twitter account said
Principio de acuerdo de traspaso con el @Arsenal por Gabriel, quien se despedirá hoy antes del partido.¡Mucha suerte! pic.twitter.com/mZkGrOgyan
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 24, 2015
It would be safe to assume at this point that Arsenal have managed to secure a work permit for the centreback who will be Arsenal’s second signing of the window.
Under the current rules, the club would have had to seek an ‘exceptional talent’ visa for the player as he has not yet represented Brazil at senior international level.
The 24-year-old was Villarreal’s captain and was second in the interception charts in La Liga.
According to L’Equipe, Paulista will complete his Arsenal medical on Sunday.
Joel Campbell has joined the Spanish side on loan for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal are believed to have paid £11.2m [source Guillem Balague] and not the Brazilian’s £13.5m release clause although when Joel Campbell’s loan is factored in this would take the cost a little higher.
Paulista compared to current Arsenal centrebacks [via Squawka]
