In a surprising twist in the football transfer market, Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr is reportedly plotting to sign Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes this summer. TalkSPORT has reported that the Saudi giants have already made contact with the 25-year-old star as they look to bolster their squad with industry-leading talent.
Gabriel joined Arsenal in 2020 and has since made a significant impact, appearing 209 times and scoring 20 goals. His existing contract with the Gunners runs until 2027, and the club is keen to extend this agreement amid mounting interest from abroad. Arsenal is expected to fiercely protect their asset, with expectations that they will not entertain offers below £100 million for the highly valued center-back.
Al Nassr, not shy about making lucrative offers, is reported to be willing to provide Gabriel with a salary of €20 million (approximately £16.8 million) per season, which is about three times what he currently earns at Arsenal. This striking financial incentive may catch the Brazilian international's attention, especially as he considers his long-term prospects.
Despite this potential lure, sources close to Gabriel indicate that he remains fully committed to Arsenal for the remainder of the season. With the Gunners currently second in the Premier League, but trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points, they must retain their focus if they hope to end a 21-year drought without a league title. Their situation is precarious, as they aim to balance their ambitions in both the league and the Champions League.
As Arsenal pushes forward in this season’s Champions League, they currently find themselves facing a formidable opponent: Real Madrid. Having overcome PSV Eindhoven in the last-16, they will need to draw on all of Gabriel's abilities to navigate through to the semi-finals. The outcome of these high-stakes matches could very well shape the decisions both Gabriel and Arsenal make in the coming months concerning his future.
In terms of strengthening their squad, Arsenal has also been linked with Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, indicating a desire to bolster their midfield alongside a potential defense reinvigoration. However, this ambition is contingent upon their performance in ongoing competitions, especially considering that Al Nassr has successfully attracted global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in recent years, thus raising the profile of the Saudi Pro League substantially.
Speaking of Ronaldo, his contract at Al Nassr is set to expire this summer. Nevertheless, the club remains optimistic about him extending his stay. The prospect of Gabriel joining Al Nassr and teaming up with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner piques interest, presenting a tantalizing scenario for both the player and the Saudi club. It remains unknown how these developments will shape Al Nassr’s defensive lineup, especially given their current achievement of conceding 27 goals in 25 league matches this season.
As the summer transfer window approaches, it will be fascinating to monitor how Gabriel's situation unfolds, particularly if Arsenal can capitalize on future successes to keep their defensive stalwart. His decision, however, may largely depend on the Gunners’ conclusions in the Premier League and Champions League. While Gabriel is fixated on helping his club achieve glory, the allure of a transformational deal in Saudi Arabia adds another layer of complexity to his professional journey.
Ultimately, whether Gabriel Magalhaes stays with Arsenal or makes the switch to Al Nassr may come down to the outcomes of the club's ongoing campaigns and their ability to attract other high-profile players amid a rapidly evolving footballing landscape.
