Confirmed! Arsenal agree deal for Villarreal defender

Posted Sunday, January 25, 2015 by Talksport.co.uk

Arsenal are set to sign Villarreal centre-back Gabriel Paulista, with the La Liga outfit announcing they have reached an agreement in principle with the Gunners for the highly-rated 24-year-old.

Out-of-favour forward Joel Campbell will head to the Spanish club on loan for the rest of the season.

Villarreal confirmed on Twitter that a deal had been agreed on Saturday evening, shortly before their Primera Division match against Levante kicked off at El Madrigal.

"Transfer agreed in principle with Arsenal for Gabriel, who will bid farewell before the game. Much luck!" the club posted.

"Welcome Joel Campbell! Agreement reached with Arsenal until the end of the season."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger last week appeared optimistic that a deal could be finalised for the man dubbed 'the new Pepe'.

Villarreal wanted to see Paulista's €20million (£15.25million) release clause activated, while the Gunners are said to be offering in the region of £10million, following add-ons to an initial down payment.

The move will need Home Office approval because the young defender does not meet the current required international criteria for a work permit as he is yet to represent Brazil.

As such, Arsenal will need to convince a Football Association hearing that the player is an "exceptional talent".

Wenger admitted last week that it would be a gamble not to bring in a new defender this month.

The north London side have been regularly left short of defensive cover this season with the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy all suffering injuries.

Debuchy is expected to be out for another three months after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, leaving Wenger with only six fit senior defenders at the club.

"We can cope because we have [Calum] Chambers, [Per] Mertesacker, Koscielny," Wenger said earlier this month.

"But we have now lost Debuchy who can play centre-back, Monreal who can play centre-back and Gibbs has been out too."

"So if we have another injury or two we will struggle. It is risky [not to sign anyone] - too risky."