Villarreal have issued a statement on their official website that they have an agreement in principle with Arsenal over the transfer of Gabriel Paulista. As a part of the deal, Joel Campbell is set to move the other way on loan until the end of the season.

An official statement from the Spanish club read:

“Villarreal and Arsenal have come to a preliminary agreement that will be completed on Monday, for the transfer of Brazilian defender Gabriel Armando de Abreu. Once Gabriel passes the physical examination, he will join the Gunners in the Premier League.”

Joel Campbell said:

"I'm going to a great team. [Villarreal] play good style of football. Hopefully, I can adapt quickly to show my ability.”

Arsenal have fended off late interests from Manchester United and Liverpool to sign the highly rated defender. After weeks of speculation, the Gunners have finalized the transfer, which Arsene Wenger believes could be the answer for his perpetual defensive crisis.

It was reported that he had a release clause of £15.4 million, but effective negotiations from Arsene Wenger has ensured that Arsenal save a few millions as they seem to have brought down the 24-year-old defender for as cheap as £11.2 million. Besides, Arsenal will also receive £700k for Joel Campbell’s loan deal.

He is the second signing that the Emirates Stadium club have made, with Krystian Bielik opening their account. Though he does not have international exposure, he has been pivotal in Villarreal’s hunt for European football.

Gabriel Paulista is, indeed, a decent signing as he could be very handy, especially in light of Arsenal’s busy schedule over the next few months. However, it is uncertain that a player can adjust to the physical nature of Premier League football even though every Arsenal signing from Spain have flourished.