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Arsenal are preparing for an approach from Saudi Arabia for star defender Gabriel Magalhães but remain firm in their stance that he will not be sold for anything less than a world-record fee for a defender. The current record belongs to Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, who joined from RB Leipzig for £77.6 million, but Arsenal have reportedly placed an even higher valuation on their 27-year-old centre-back.
Gabriel has formed a formidable defensive partnership with William Saliba and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League. However, Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, is keen to lure him away from north London with a lucrative contract offer.
According to GiveMeSport, Al-Nassr has already made an initial approach to the Brazilian and is prepared to triple his current wages, offering him a tax-free salary of around £16 million per year to make the switch to Saudi Arabia.
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Despite the financial lure, Gabriel remains focused on Arsenal. New sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to resume discussions over extending the defender’s contract, but the Gunners are open to considering offers starting from £83 million.
Arsenal’s priority is to secure Gabriel’s long-term future, with his current contract running until 2027. However, if a Saudi Pro League club meets their valuation, the club could find it difficult to resist a sale.
Gabriel Magalhães (Image credit: Getty Images)This is not the first time Gabriel has attracted interest from the Middle East. During a previous transfer saga, Mikel Arteta briefly altered his defensive setup at the start of the 2023/24 season, leaving the Brazilian out of the starting XI. However, Gabriel quickly regained his place and has since remained a crucial part of Arsenal’s defensive unit.
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Reflecting on that period, Gabriel admitted it was a challenging time but credited Arteta for his support.
“It was tough, obviously at the start, I wanted to play and it was very difficult for me but I understood what the coach had to do,” he told PA. “It is difficult for any player to not be in the team but now I’m back in, I want to keep on working hard to prove my worth.
“(Arteta) spoke to me and explained the reasons behind the decision. He told me why I should stay, but the most important thing was to remain focused. He knew how important I was to the team, so I’m happy to be back and able to help in every game.”
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