Arsenal sporting director Edu has opened preliminary talks with a crucial first-team player, with manager Mikel Arteta pushing the Gunners to agree on a new contract.
The north London team have made locking down their star senior players a priority in recent years. Defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu became the latest Arsenal stars to agree to new contracts in March. Academy ace Ethan Nwaneri also committed his future in March.
Captain Martin Odegaard even put pen to paper to stay at Emirates Stadium until June 2028 in September. While William Saliba signed fresh terms last July, Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka penned new deals last May and Gabriel Martinelli signed a new contract last February.
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to give Gabriel Magalhaes a new contract
Now, Arteta has established Gabriel Magalhaes as the player he wants Arsenal to give a new contract to next. That is according to football.london, which reports that the manager wants to ward off any possible interest in a transfer for the 26-year-old ahead of the summer sales.
Gabriel last signed new terms at the Emirates in October 2022 which locked the centre-back down until June 2027. So, Arsenal do not feel there is any rush to secure a fresh agreement. But sporting director Edu has held preliminary talks with Gabriel to discuss his new contract.
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Talks between Edu and Gabriel to sound out the Brazilian’s interest in any new contract have also been positive. But the discussions are still at a very early stage as Arteta urges the club to reward another of his vital cogs. Gabriel has played in 46 of Arsenal’s 48 games this term.
Gabriel rejected transfer interest from Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid in 2023
Arteta has even started Gabriel in 44 of his 46 appearances following two substitute cameos back in August. The centre-half surprisingly started the season on the bench amid interest in him from Saudi Arabia. But Arteta resisted the advances and wants to see Gabriel rewarded.
The Daily Mail reported interest from Saudi Arabia, as well from Real Madrid following Eder Militao’s ACL injury, in August. But Gabriel, who Rio Ferdinand has called ‘outstanding’ this season, rejected their interest to fight for a place at Arsenal, who have reaped the rewards.
Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League this season, having only conceded 26 goals in 34 games. The Gunners have also only conceded 23 goals with Gabriel on the pitch. He has further helped Arteta’s squad to keep 14 clean sheets after starting in the top-flight.
