Arsenal have reportedly opened initial talks with Brazil international centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes over an improved deal following his excellent performances this term.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are reportedly in discussions with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes regarding an extension of his contract beyond 2027 as Gunners’ head coach Mikel Arteta looks to reward the Brazilian defensive stalwart for his excellent service so far.
Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer of 2020 before inking a new deal in October 2022, which still has over two years left on it.
As a result, the North Londoners are not in a rush to agree new terms with their centre-back, but initial talks have been positive and will proceed in the coming weeks.
Arsenal recently handed Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu a new deal and are hoping to extend the contract of Italian midfielder Jorginho before it expires at the end of the campaign.
The likes of William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Ben White have all put pen to paper and had their deals extended in recent months, and it looks like Gabriel could be the next in line ahead of next season.
Gabriel Magalhaes has provided Arsenal stability at the back
The Gunners currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded only 26 goals thus far, a testament to the solidity and reliability of their central defensive partnership.
Gabriel has emerged as a pillar in Arsenal’s defensive setup under Mikel Arteta, forming a formidable partnership alongside William Saliba at the heart of the defence in the last two seasons.
With 164 appearances across all competitions, Gabriel has notched up an impressive tally of 15 goals, showcasing his dominating presence in both defence and attack.
The centre-back was not among the starters in the initial few games of the season, leading to interest from Saudi Pro League clubs and Real Madrid last summer.
However, not only has he won his spot back, but he has also established himself as one of the first names in the starting XI, featuring in 32 of the 34 league fixtures so far.
The North Londoners will be desperate to end their title drought this term, having not won it for almost two decades, and Gabriel is focusing on that right now before talks over a new deal are likely to ramp up after the campaign ends.
