Arsenal hope to complete a deal for Lille defender Gabriel in the next 24 hours with the Brazilian set to undergo a medical with the club on Thursday.
Lille accepted offers from Arsenal and Napoli but the 22-year-old has decided to join the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta identified his side’s defence as a major weakness when he arrived last December and his tactics in the second half of the campaign where designed to cover-up the Gunners’ deficiencies at the back.
However, the Spaniard wants to play a more expansive brand of football next term and he believes that Gabriel – along with William Saliba – will allow him to play a higher line. (Metro)