Report: Arsenal to sign Lille's Gabriel for €30M

Arsenal reached an agreement with Lille on Saturday to sign highly-rated defender Gabriel Magalhaes for €30 million, including bonuses, The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports.

The 22-year-old reportedly courted interest from Napoli, Everton, Manchester City, and Manchester United, but ultimately decided to join the Gunners on a five-year contract.

Napoli had lined up Gabriel as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, according to The Guardian's Romano and Nick Ames. Koulibaly's agent has reportedly been in talks with City over a potential move.

News of an agreement emerged shortly after Lille's first match of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season. Gabriel was left out of Christophe Galtier's squad due to the speculation around the center-back's future.

It's the second time in consecutive years Arsenal have done business with Lille. Last summer, the Gunners shattered their transfer record to sign winger Nicolas Pepe for a reported €80 million.

Gabriel could eventually play alongside central defender William Saliba, who returned to north London after a season-long loan spell at Saint-Etienne.

The Brazilian's arrival may also force one of Sokratis Papastathopoulos or Shkodran Mustafi out of the club. Sokratis has been linked with a move to Napoli, where his compatriot Kostas Manolas plays.

David Luiz already signed a contract extension to remain at Arsenal for another season.

Gabriel made 23 starts at the heart of Lille's defense last season, helping the club clinch a Champions League spot for the second consecutive campaign.