Gabriel Paulista set to join Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed a deal to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista is imminent.

The La Liga club say an agreement has been reached in principle for the £15m-rated 24-year-old to move to London.

Gunners' striker Joel Campbell, 22, is moving the opposite way on loan, according to the Spanish club.

Paulista has "good potential" according to Arsenal boss Wenger, who is hopeful that the transfer will go through on Monday.

However, the Gunners will have to secure a work permit before completing a deal for the uncapped Brazilian.

Wenger confirmed on Thursday that the Premier League club was in talks over the signing of the centre-back, who joined Villarreal from Brazilian club Vitoria in 2013.

After the Gunners 3-2 FA Cup win at Brighton on Sunday, Wenger added: "Paulista is a central defender but he can also play on the flanks.

"He is tall and pacy. He has a good chance to adapt to English football. I see good potential in him.

"The deal could be done before the FA Cup draw [on Monday]."

Campbell, who Villarreal claim will join on loan until the end of the season, signed for Arsenal in 2011 from Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa SAD.

He has since been loaned out to French club FC Lorient, Spanish club Real Betis and Greek side Olympiacos.

Campbell helped Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and has made 10 appearances - without scoring a goal - for Arsenal this season.


Credit: BBC Sport