Barcelona might have to set sights on an alternative for Gabriel Magalhaes, with Arsenal having no intention to sell the Brazilian defender.
According to a report by football.london, Arsenal will not entertain any offers to sell Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer transfer window. The Gunners’ stance has thus come as a major blow for Barcelona, who will need to scour the market for alternatives ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Gabriel Magalhaes joined Arsenal from Lille in September 2020 and has since established himself as a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s squad. While the Brazilian centre-back is not one of the best defenders in the Premier League yet, he has forged an efficient central defensive partnership with Ben White.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, missing just one Premier League game for Arsenal when fit and available while amassing 31 appearances across all competitions. Gabriel’s progress at Arsenal has captured the attention of one of the biggest clubs in Europe, with Barcelona considering a summer move.
The interest from Barcelona comes in the wake of rising uncertainties surrounding the futures of Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti. As per widespread reports, the two French defenders are surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, thus creating the need to sign a left-footed centre-back.
So while Andreas Christensen could join Barcelona in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window after reaching a verbal agreement with them, the Blaugrana could have to invest in two centre-backs ahead of the 2022/23 season. Gabriel is thus a viable target for Barcelona.
But the Catalan giants are unlikely to secure the services of the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window. That is because Arsenal will not entertain any offers for the Brazilian defender, with Mikel Arteta keen on keeping hold of him for the long haul as he continues rebuilding the Arsenal squad.
Barcelona will thus have to turn attention towards alternate options unless either Lenglet or Umtiti stays put at Camp Nou. It will be interesting to see the course of action Barcelona will look to take. But what seems certain is that Gabriel Magalhaes is not leaving Arsenal despite the interest from the Blaugrana.
