Arsenal could make a huge profit on a player pursued by some of the richest sides on Earth, as Mikel Arteta finishes the transfer window with a flourish
(Image credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Arsenal could sell a star who isn't getting in their starting lineup for far more than they paid for him – leaving Mikel Arteta to add one or two more new faces to his squad before Deadline Day.
The Gunners made it two from two away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League last night, grinding out a 1-0 result despite having defender Takehiro Tomiyasu sent off for two yellow cards within seven minutes.
Arsenal have strengthened heavily this summer but with Jurrien Timber facing a spell on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and Tomiyasu now suspended for a match – and unreliable himself with injuries – another defensive addition might be necessary to get through the season.
Jurrien Timber's long-term injury is a big worry for Mikel Arteta (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
With Arsenal spending £200 million in the transfer market so far, a new buy may only be possible with a sale – and one option may have presented itself in the form of interest in Brazilian defender, Gabriel.
The Mail claims that interest from Real Madrid in the aftermath of Eder Militao's own ACL tear is genuine, while Al-Ittihad also apparently would like to bring Gabriel to the Saudi Pro League.
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After featuring in every fixture last season for the Gunners, the centre-back has been omitted from the starting line-up twice already this season. With Arteta looking to move to a system that uses Timber or Tomiyasu on the left of a back three, it may be tempting for him to cash in on Gabriel and use the capital to bring in a more stylistic replacement for Timber this season.
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Arsenal bought the player from Lille for £27m, according to BBC Sport. With the north Londoners in a position of strength – they weren't expecting this approach and have other players to sell before Gabriel – they could well demand three times what they paid before considering a sale.
Gabriel of Arsenal is wanted by big-money rivals (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
