New boy: Gabriel Paulista is set to an undergo a medical ahead of his move to Arsenal (Picture: AP)

Arsenal have all but completed the signing of centre-back Gabriel Paulista after the Brazilian was granted a formal work permit to join the Gunners.

The final fee agreed with Spanish club Villarreal is understood to be £11.3 million, with Paulista set to undergo a medical imminently.

The fact that the 24-year-old hadn’t played 75% of Brazil’s matches over the past two years had threatened his chances of moving to the Emirates, but the Gunners were given the Home Office grant after successfully arguing that the defender would help develop top-level football in England.

If there are no unexpected issues with the medical, Paulista’s move to north London could be announced as soon as today, making him Arsene Wenger’s second signing of the January transfer window.

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