Defender claims his agent is in transfer talks with Arsenal

Villarreal's 24-year old Brazilian defender, Gabriel Paulista, has claimed that Arsenal are in contact with his agent. Gabriel, who plays centre back for a side who haven't lost since November, is uncapped for Brazil, making a work permit harder to gain.

According to the Guardian, Villarreal are interested in loaning Joel Campbell, who has apparently become frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities. Campbell was not included in the Arsenal squad on Sunday nor last weekend against Stoke, and although Arsène Wenger has claimed that he wants to keep Campbell, but the lack of starts even with Arsenal missing strikers this season, speaks volumes. A potential swap could smooth the financial details of the transfer.

Gabriel has expressed interest in playing in the Premier League, stating it his dream, and it appears easy to conclude that personal terms wou not be a significant barrier.

Arsène Wenger said this week that it would be 'a risky gamble' to not sign a centre back during the window, and that Arsenal were working very hard to sign a defender. With Mathieu Debuchy out for 3 months and Laurent Koscielny battling an Achilles issue, any good defender would be an improvement.