Man Utd Ready To Hijack Arsenal’s Move For €20m Brazilian

With the January transfer in full swing, managers are strengthening their squads ahead of the second half of the season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Man Utd are ready to battle Arsenal for the signature of Gabriel Paulista….

Manchester United are ready to hijack Arsenal’s attempts to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista but both clubs must meet the players €20m buy-out fee, according to reports.

The Gunners are expected to bring in another central defender this month as Arsene Wenger has admitted the injury to Mathieu Debuchy has left him a little short of options at the back.

Several names have been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks but speculation in the media on Monday claimed that the North Londoners had made a €6.5m (£5m) offer plus Joel Campbell on loan for Gabriel Paulista.

The 24-year-old confirmed to reporters that his agent is holding talks with Arsenal over a potential move and admitted that he’d jump at the chance of playing in the Premier League.

“The subject is being discussed by my agent and the club.

“If I go to Arsenal it will be excellent. But if it’s not finalised then I am relaxed. I am focused on my work here.

“My agent is working on making sure I continue being calm.

“Playing in the Premier League is one of my dreams. I have spoken to my agent about this.” Paulista is quoted as saying by the Express

However, it looks like Arsenal will now face some stiff competition as the Express are claiming that Manchester United are set to try and hijack the deal with Louis van Gaal identifying Paulista as a potential new recruit.

The Dutchman is expected to continue to splash the cash as he rebuilds his entire squad at Old Trafford and a new centre-back has become something of a priority.

Paulista has been a rock at the back for Villarreal this season and has played a key role in helping the side go unbeaten since early November, so he’d certainly be a useful addition for either Arsenal or United.

However, the duo are going to have to dig deep if they want to land him and it’s believed that Villarreal have made it clear they aren’t willing to sell the Brazilian for anything less than his €20m (£15m) buy-out clause.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

It remains to be seen whether either Wenger or van Gaal will be prepared to pay that kind of money but even if they do and are able to agree a deal, they may still have trouble gaining a work permit for the defender as he’s yet to earn a single cap for Brazil and doesn’t hold an EU passport yet.

So even though Paulista would be an excellent signing this month, there are still a number of obstacles that could prevent him fulfilling his dream of playing in England.