Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has identified Gabriel Magalhaes as Ben White’s ideal partner in his defence, the UK Times reports.
The Gunners are close to finalizing a £50million deal for White, after agreeing the fee with Brighton.
With David Luiz leaving at the end of last season and William Saliba joining Marseille on loan, Arteta was keen to bring in a central defender that possesses composure and passing range.
Once the formalities of his move are completed, White will compete with Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes for a starting spot in Arteta’s strongest XI.
But the Arsenal manager believes a combination of White and Gabriel, who joined from Lille last summer in a £27m deal, represents the best possible combination available to him when everyone is fit.
Gabriel enjoyed a fine start to his career at the Emirates, winning the club’s Player of the Month award on three successive occasions, but his form dropped midway through a difficult campaign for him and his club alike.
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