Juventus are reportedly targeting a shock move for Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Gunners look set to miss out on Champions League football after suffering back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle last week, leaving Mikel Arteta's side in fifth with one game to play. The Brazilian defender has been a mainstay at the back alongside summer signing Ben White in the Arsenal defence since joining the club two years ago.
According to Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Juve are very interested in signing Gabriel to bolster their defence with club legend Giorgio Chiellini set to leave at the end of the season. William Saliba had a superb season on loan at Marseille, winning Ligue 1's young player of the year award, and Arteta now has a decision to make this summer as to how his defence will shape up ahead of next season.
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It looks increasingly likely that Arsenal will be pipped at the line for a top four spot after devastating defeats in the north London derby and away at Newcastle on Sunday leave the Gunners needing already relegated Norwich to get a positive result against Spurs on the final day. Missing out on Champions League football could have a significant financial impact on Arsenal's summer transfer business, affecting both incomings and outgoings at the club.
Arsenal have continuously been linked with Juve stars in the past with the likes of Arthur Melo, Paulo Dybala and Dusan Vlahovic all rumoured to have been on the Gunners' shortlist at different points. The return of William Saliba, who has developed well on loan at Marseille this season, might help alleviate the loss of Gabriel by being a ready-made replacement should the Brazilian be swayed by the Old Lady's interest.
Arsenal would demand a significantly higher fee than the £20million paid to Lille for Gabriel back in 2020, considering the Brazilian's development and his three years remaining on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium. With the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all leaving for free in the past, Arsenal could take advantage of selling one of their star players for a big fee and reinvesting that into other areas of the squad that desperately need it, such as the striker position.
