Juventus eye Arsenal’s Gabriel as potential Matthijs de Ligt replacement
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. – – EDITORIAL USE RESTRICTED . No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online use in match limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) / RESERVED FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online use in match limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online use in match limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. 40 additional images can be used in overtime. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
2 key reasons why Gabriel Jesus decided to join Arsenal
Juventus are considering a move for Arsenal defender Gabriel as a potential replacement for Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt’s future in Turin is in doubt, with Chelsea keen to sign the Dutchman this summer. After a rocky start to life in Serie A after joining the Bianconeri from Ajax in 2019, De Ligt has had a great 2021/22 season and Juve won’t want to let him go, especially after Giorgio Chiellini’s farewell.
However, the prospect of losing their star centre-half is a scary but distinct possibility for Juventus with moves already made by the Italian giants to replace him.
Juventus eye Arsenal’s Gabriel as potential Matthijs de Ligt replacement
Some would say Juve need to sign another centre-back even though De Ligt has remained at the club. They were linked with a move for Arsenal defender Gabriel long before the summer transfer window opened and such rumors surfaced again in the Italian media.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bianconeri have identified Gabriel as the man to replace De Ligt should he join Chelsea this summer. Although; Kalidou Koulibaly, Manuel Akanji and Benoit Badiashile are also on Juve’s radar.
Convincing Gabriel to leave Arsenal won’t be an easy task, however, and it’s likely to take a mammoth offer for the Gunners to entertain even the Italian giants this summer. Gazzetta thinks an offer of around €40m should be enough, but I’d be surprised if Arsenal sell the Brazilian for that price.
The former Lille defender enjoyed a fine campaign last time out scoring a career-high five league goals. He forged a strong partnership with new signing Benjamin White, as Arsenal’s backline looked like one of the best in the Premier League at times.
The Gunners centre-back’s ranks will be bolstered by the return of William Saliba after three consecutive loan spells, and it will be interesting to see how long it will take the hugely talented Frenchman to work his way into the starting XI. Mikel Arteta.
For now, however, Arsenal’s plan is to keep Gabriel and I don’t see that position changing anytime soon.
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