Confirmed – Arsenal Edging Close To £15m Signing

Arsene Wenger has confirmed to the media that talks to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista are progressing. The Frenchman revealed this during his weekly presser. He was asked by journalist to confirm if there were truths to the stories of a bid for the 24-year old, of which he answered:

“The talks are progressing quite well. I don’t think there is need to say much more,” he told Sky Sport on Thursday. “We are talking at the moment, whether we can find an agreement or not, I don’t know.”

When asked by journalists to confirm the exact amount of the player’s release clause, Wenger had this to say:

“We are slowly progressing, but there is a chance. At the moment we are talking. The 20 million is euros, it’s £15m to transform the amount.

“We are ready to pay the price we think right for a good player, no matter what the price is. If we think it’s the right price we will pay.”

It was quite unlike Wenger to open up on a transfer the way he did today, which indicates a remarkable departure from what we have always known the Frenchman for. He is not the one to give away information about a potential transfer, let alone disclosing the exact details in terms of fees. This could only mean Wenger is sure of a deal been completed for the player any time soon.

Today’s press briefing also confirms various reports in the media on the Gunners’ interest in the quick and strong defender. Hopefully this transfer will be sorted out before the window draws to a close in about 10 days from now.

The fee may not be the only huddle to signing Paulista as Arsenal may need to convince the Home Office to grant the Brazilian a Work Permit based on the status of a special talent. The 24-year old is an uncapped player at international level for Brazil, and that might work against him.

However, Arsenal may be able to successfully get a work permit for the player through an appeal something West Brom have done successful when they sign Brown Ideye of Nigeria from the Ukrainian league.