As the allure of the Saudi Pro League continues to draw big-name stars, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes has emerged as the latest player targeted for a potentially lucrative move.
According to John Cross of The Daily Mirror, the Gunners are now navigating the decision of whether to entertain the interest or hold onto the Brazil center-half, who was notably absent from the starting lineup in their season opener against Nottingham Forest.
Gabriel Magalhaes Linked With Move to Saudi Arabia
Arsenal star Gabriel the latest big name targeted by Saudi Pro League as Gunners face anxious wait on Jurrien Timber injury update https://t.co/D7UwhvEuPJ
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) August 14, 2023
Arsenal’s Conundrum
While the North London club has previously rebuffed advances for the 25-year-old defender, the current situation presents a fresh challenge. New signing Jurrien Timber is expected to be out for a lengthy period after suffering an injury against Forest.
Persistent injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu also pose a problem for Mikel Arteta.
The Brazilian had established himself as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense throughout the previous season. His reliability and strong performances were key to the side’s backline stability, making his surprise omission from the starting lineup all the more noteworthy.
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Replacement Scenarios
Should the club opt to part ways with the “terrific” player, they would likely need to secure a suitable replacement swiftly. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a long-term target of the Gunners, emerges as a potential option.
Additionally, the familiarity between Arteta and Aymeric Laporte, whom the former worked with at Manchester City, presents another avenue.
The decision’s ripple effects extend beyond the immediate transfer window, shaping Arsenal’s season and the dynamics of their defensive strategy.
Featured Image: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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