TRANSFER MARKET: GABRIEL PAULISTA JOINS ARSENAL – CAMPBELL LOANED TO VILLARREAL
Arsenal have moved to bolster their defense with the signing of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal in a deal worth €20 million. As part of the agreement, Joel Campbell will head in the opposite direction on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old Brazilian center-back is expected to undergo a medical on Monday before signing his contract with the Premier League club.
Gabriel bade farewell to Villarreal fans following their 1-0 win at Levante on Saturday, a match that marked his final appearance for the Yellow Submarine.
Having started his professional career in Vitória, in Salvador de Bahia, Gabriel made a quick impact in Spain after joining Villarreal for just €3 million at the start of last season. His performances have now earned him a big move to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsène Wenger hopes he will strengthen a defense that has struggled with injuries and inconsistency this season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also been active in the market, signing 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva, another promising talent from South America.
