Gabriel Paulista to Arsenal: Latest Transfer News, Rumours on Villarreal Star

Arsenal has landed Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista, as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his options at the back in the January transfer window.

Continue for updates.

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Marcelino Questions Paulista's Quality and Worth

Monday, Jan. 26

Former Newcastle United defender Marcelino has questioned whether Paulista possesses the quality needed to succeed in the Premier League, reported by Sky Sports (h/t Jack Watson of Squawka):

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My question mark would be on whether he’s a real top defender in the world and Europe and I don’t think he’s that level. We will have to see what they are paying for him and what sort of needs they have at this moment because if they need a player, maybe he’s the one that he can buy.

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Marcelino suggests Arsene Wenger may have few other choices, however: "Depending on how much you need that player. Sometimes you are in need, you pay over the odds and you are forced to buy the only one who is available."

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Arsenal Complete Paulista Transfer

Saturday, Jan. 24

ESPN FC reveals Villareal has announced a deal with Arsenal for Paulista, and that Joel Campbell is on loan:

Jamie Sanderson of Metro provided more details on the fee:

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An opening offer of £6million fell short on Wednesday, but respected Spanish journalist Kike Marin says a fee has now finally been agreed – with Gabriel now set to fly to London for a medical.

The £13.8million fee is slightly below Gabriel’s release clause, and now Arsenal are expecting to win a work permit to wrap up the transfer.

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Gunners Agree £15m Paulista Fee, Wenger Ready to Spend

Thursday, Jan. 22

Wenger has confirmed Arsenal have a £15 million agreement in place to sign Paulista, although the deal could still go either way, reported by Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World:

The Gunners boss has indicated he is ready to drop funds on further January signings if the right player becomes available, per Palmer:

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Paulista to Arsenal Switch Imminent

Wednesday, Jan. 21

As noted by 101 Great Goals, Jose Ramon De La Morena from reliable Spanish radio station Cadena Ser has claimed the two sides are close to a €20 million deal. The news was confirmed by the head journalist at the radio station, Xavi Sidro:

Clarification of what had been reported came via the Spanish Gooner Twitter account:

Bleacher Report’s Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas runs the rule over the 24-year-old and some other reported transfer targets for the Gunners here:

Paulista is a player who has been at the crux of what’s been an exceptional campaign for Villarreal. They’ve played a brash brand of effervescent football under the tutelage of Marcelino—they’re unbeaten in their last 15 matches—but there’s been an underpinning solidity to their play, a trait which Paulista has been primarily responsible for.

But the club's manager has admitted the player could leave for Arsenal soon, per SamuelJayC:

Here’s a look at why Arsenal are reportedly willing to part with such an extortionate sum for the centre-half:

On the face of things, Paulista looks like an excellent fit for the Gunners. Naturally he’s astute in his utilisation of the ball, but there’s a rugged streak to his defending to complement his technical talents, one that’ll surely see the Villarreal man relish the challenge of the Premier League should he end up donning the iconic red jersey.

Here’s how Paulista compares to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in league matches this season:

	Paulista	Koscielny	Mertesacker
Apps (Sub)	18 (1)	12	21
Tackles	0.8	1.3	0.9
Interceptions	3.5	3.6	2.1
Clearances	4.5	4.8	4.7
Blocks	0.5	0.5	0.6

Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press

Arsenal also have an extended track record of bringing players in from Spain’s top flight—admittedly, with varied success—as noted here by Sport Witness:

Splashing out this much midseason in not typically in Wenger’s makeup, but encouragingly for Arsenal supporters, while it’s a revelation that may be a little overdue, the Frenchman looks as though he’s realised the importance of having a cohesive and diligent defensive streak to their play.

It’s an area of the team the Gunners failed to address in earnest in the summer window and, while they may be paying over the odds for Paulista, it’s a case of needs most when you run the rule over the club’s offensively loaded crop of players. But make no mistake, in the long-term Paulista is a centre-back that looks as though he’ll be well worth the money.