Gabriel Paulista will join Valencia (Picture: Getty)
Gabriel Paulista will join Valencia (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista is on the verge of leaving the Gunners to join La Liga giants Valencia.

The Brazilian moved to the Emirates from Villarreal in 2015 in a £15m move and had been identified by Arsenal scouts on the basis of his encouraging stats for blocks, interceptions and tackles.

However, Gabriel has failed to tie down a first-team place in north London and his departure will be seen as a blow to Arsenal’s recruitment policy and their move towards ‘stat-based’ purchases.

Arsene Wenger has spoken of the need of trimming his squad this summer and the Mirror claim Gabriel is on his way to Valencia for £10million.

Gabriel failed to tie down a first team place (Picture:Getty)
Gabriel failed to tie down a first team place (Picture:Getty)

The Gunners have rejected bids from Crystal Palace for Calum Chambers this summer and Gabriel’s departure could mean the England U21 defender is set to stay at the Emirates.

However, with a 33-man squad, Wenger will want to offload more squad players and the likes of Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere could all leave.

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