Arteta ‘positive’ over Gabriel and Auba deals

Mikel Arteta is hopeful a deal for Gabriel Magalhaes can be completed soon

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says he is positive the club will soon agree a new contract with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and complete the signing of defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.

Gabriel is set to join Arsenal after they agreed a £27m fee with Lille for the defender, beating off competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who held late discussions with the player’s representatives, Everton and Italian club Napoli to sign the 22-year-old.

“We cannot announce anything yet [with regards to Gabriel]. The deal is not finalised, he is a player we have followed for a long time. Hopefully we can get it done,” Arteta said ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield match against Liverpool.

0:48

Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes has arrived in London ahead of a £27m move to Arsenal

“Everything is okay when both parties sign and the player agrees the terms and he goes through the medical. Sometimes in the final stages it is not as easy as it looks but we are pretty positive that we can do it.

“When we get it I will be very pleased. We are determined he has the right profile to improve our squad. If we are able to finalise it we will be delighted.”

Meanwhile, club captain Aubameyang is close to ending speculation about his future and is expected to sign a new contract in the coming days.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to signing a new deal for Arsenal, says Mikel Arteta

“I keep being positive. We had some really good talks with him and his agent,” Arteta continued.

“I am pretty confident we will find an agreement soon, that’s my feeling.

“[It will be a massive lift] for everyone and for him as well. He should be very happy if he is able to stay at the club for a long time.”

More to follow…

Sky Sports Fantasy Football is back!

Another year, another £50,000 jackpot on the line. Sky Sports Fantasy Football makes its return for the 2020/21 season.