Juventus look to be hatching a plan to sign key Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes this summer. The Serie A giants are in the market for at least one new centre-back as they look to replace club legend Giorgio Chiellini, who played his final game for the club last weekend.
After their huge Champions League disappointment, Arsenal are at risk of losing important players to sides already qualified for Europe’s premier competition, but Gabriel's departure would in particular be a huge blow.
Arsenal beat off competition from the likes of Everton and Manchester United to sign the 24-year-old in 2020 and he’s since developed into one of the most important players in the squad.
He played a role in 35 of their 38 Premier League games this season and is a big reason why the Gunners have looked much more defensively robust this season when compared to previous campaigns.
From the club’s current crop of defenders, Gabriel is the only player to rank inside the team’s top two for having both the highest success rate in defensive duels (69.14 per cent) and aerial duels (57.26 per cent).
He combines that physical prowess with a high footballing IQ, knowing where to position himself and when in order to make key interceptions and important clearances for the team.
Gabriel’s introduction to the squad has also aided Mikel Arteta's ability to evolve the team’s tactics. With him, plus the likes of Ben White, they can both build better through the thirds while also playing a higher and more aggressive defensive line, aware they now have centre-backs who have the pace to go toe-to-toe with most forwards making dangerous runs onto passes played in-behind.
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The Brazilian's passing prowess is captured by his success rate of 91.64 per cent this season - no Arsenal defender can better that average.
All of this captures just how important Gabriel is to this Arsenal side - and highlights how unsettling Juventus’ interest is. William Saliba could bolster the Gunners' ranks as he returns from a season-long loan at Marseille, although he has publicly stated he is keen to stay at the French club and play in the Champions League next season.
Even if he does come back, he’s probably not yet able to perform at a level to match Gabriel, meaning the Brazilian’s departure would almost certainly weaken Arteta’s side next season.
Arsenal may in response look to offer Gabriel a new and improved contract, despite there being three years left on his existing £90,000-per-week deal. Yet it’s not clear if that’ll be enough to fend off the Italian side’s red hot interest.
