Lille defender Gabriel Magalhåes has not held a medical with Arsenal, but a move to the Emirates is ‘close’.
That’s according to RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, who provides the latest update on the Brazilian’s future today.
Arsenal have emerged as the most serious contender for Gabriel’s signature over the last week, overtaking Napoli, who had been at the front of the queue for several weeks.
Reports in England and France have indicated that they are the favourites for the Lille star, with claims in Italy today backing that up, saying Napoli were ‘resigned’ to missing out on him.
Gabriel is not going to play tonight due to his impending transfer. His entourage have denied any medical examination taking place. Lille do not want to complete a deal on match day. His entourage and Lille deny a total agreement, but it is close with Arsenal.
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) August 22, 2020
Part of those reports in England state that the player had already undergone a medical with the Gunners ahead of his move, but according to Bouhafsi that is not the case.
He reports that the player is not set to appear tonight due to his impending transfer, but his ‘entourage’ have ‘denied any medical examination taking place’.
They likewise deny that there is a ‘total agreement’ in place but a deal with Arsenal ‘is close’.
It is unlikely to be done today as Lille don’t want to finalise it on a matchday, however.
Nonetheless, things are looking positive for Arsenal, with reports in England, Italy and France now all on the same page an indicating that they are set to come out on top in this transfer saga.
