Arsenal defender Gabriel is one of three main defensive targets for Valencia before the end of this summer’s transfer window, their manager Marcelino has confirmed.
The Brazilian has not managed to establish himself as a regular for the Gunners during his two and a half seasons at the Emirates Stadium, and could be a realistic contender for the exit door.
Last summer’s signings of Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding pushed Gabriel down in the pecking order, while the return from injury of Per Mertesacker will also do him no favours this season.
Valencia are seeking to tighten up at the back, and Marcelino admitted he felt Gabriel was a realistic target when asked about his pursuit of the 26-year-old as well as Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo and Porto’s Ivan Marcano.
‘I think they are possible,’ he said.
‘We’re talking about important players who already know our league. They speak Spanish, and that’s important, so their adaptation would be very quick.’
Gabriel played for Villarreal before joining Arsenal in January 2015, and shone in his first spell in La Liga to earn him a £11.3million move to north London.
The South American has since gone on to make 64 appearances for the club, scoring one goal, and picking up two FA Cup winners’ medals in the process.
Arsenal 2017/18 fixtures
Huddersfield (A) - Sun May 13
Most comfortable at centre-back, Gabriel can also fill in at right-back and showed some promise as part of a back three last season, though Valencia will now hope to tempt Arsenal into letting him go.
MORE : Arsenal star drops surprise transfer hint on Instagram
MORE : Video: Alvaro Morata uneasy with Chelsea teammates but embraces Arsenal compatriots
Share this with