It looks like Gabriel Magalhaes is set to become a new Arsenal player with L’Equipe now one of a growing list of reputable publications reporting the 22-year-old will join Arsenal.

L’Equipe report that Gabriel is ‘very close’ to Arsenal, who have offered him a five-year contract. Lille have also accepted their offer, said to be in the region of €30m/£27m.

‘Never been so close’ says the French publication in their Thursday edition.

Translated (badly), it reads, “Lille central defender Gabriel is very close to joining Arsenal, who offers him a five-year contract. The left-hander (22 years old, 2023) and the Gunners have never been so close to a deal that must come in the next few hours.

“If Everton has abandoned the track of the Brazilian, he could be the subject of a final salary increase of Naples, long favourite in this case. If this were not the case, the Gunners will finalise contacts with Gabriel this week. In any case, the transfer will bring € 30M (guaranteed bonuses included) to club.”

The Times and others believe that Gabriel has agreed to that contract with Arsenal, the fee is already agreed with Lille and the player will most likely wear the number 6 shirt at Arenal should everything go through.

Transfers do, for reasons too numerous to go into here, fall apart at the last minute all the time.

In addition, RCM Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, was expecting a decision within what seemed like hours.