Gabriel Magalhaes assisted by Nicolas Pepe for Lille in 2019
Arsenal could have a centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes "for the next 10 years", according to Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson. Lille defender Gabriel is closing in on a £27million move to the Emirates. The 22-year-old was wanted by Napoli and Manchester United but Arsenal appear to have won the race for his signature.
Arsenal fans will be hoping the Brazilian can help strengthen a defence which has received plenty of criticism in recent seasons.
Gunners supporters are excited about the prospect of Saliba, who joined for £30m last summer but spent the season back on-loan at Saint-Etienne.
Johnson expects Saliba, 19, and Gabriel to take time to settle in the Premier League but can see them building a strong partnership in the coming seasons.
"It would be a pairing of two very good, very promising central defensive talents and potentially a partnership which could serve Arsenal for the best part of the next 10 years," Johnson told the Transfer Talk podcast.
"Saliba's season with Saint-Etienne was mixed, obviously the Ligue 1 season was brought to a premature close because of the COVID crisis, he had a few injuries as well and it was a shame he was not granted the chance to play in the Coupe de France final before finishing his loan spell, it would have been a good way for him to go.
"But he's shown when he plays he has a lot of talent, a lot of potential, he is fulfilling quite a bit of that already, he has impressive maturity for his age, and I think he would pair well with Gabriel.
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"I do not think [Gabriel] can be held up as the absolute solution to Arsenal's defensive issues, but he could go a long way alongside someone like William Saliba to solving some of those headaches.
"He's a very talented guy, physical, he's strong, he's got good technique, he's made for the Premier League. He would be a good addition if Arsenal can pull it off."
Gabriel will not make his debut in Saturday's Community Shield against Liverpool as he will have to quarantine for two weeks upon his arrival in England due to coronavirus regulations.
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