Arsenal have reportedly been handed a major lift amid claims Gabriel will reject approaches from a European club this summer.
The Brazilian centre-back got his first break in Europe by joining Lille back in January 2017. After a couple of loan spells, he made his way into the Lille first team in the second half of 2018-19.
Gabriel made 34 appearances the following campaign as Lille finished fourth in Ligue 1 and fourth in their Champions League group, too.
Gabriel’s rise alerted Arsenal, who paid £27million to bring him to the Premier League in September 2020.
The 24-year-old is now one of Mikel Arteta’s favoured options in defence. And he has been even better since the arrival of Ben White in the summer.
The pair are forming a solid relationship at centre-half and could help Arsenal qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Gabriel recently became a target for Barcelona. But with Ronald Araujo penning a new contract at the Nou Camp, Xavi’s side are unlikely to move for the Arsenal star.
Instead, it is Juventus who could make an offer to sign Gabriel once the summer transfer window gets underway.
Gabriel backed to replace Chiellini in Turin
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Gabriel is on Juve’s list of potential replacements for stalwart Giorgio Chiellini.
The 37-year-old is considering whether to leave the club, despite his contract running until next year.
Di Marzio also thinks Manchester United hold an interest in Gabriel, although this link is more dubious. They would have to spend big money to snatch Gabriel from an English rival.
According to the Daily Express, Gabriel is ‘more than happy’ with his situation in north London. As a result, he will reject Juve if the Serie A giants come forward with a proposal.
The Sao Paulo-born star is focusing on helping Arsenal finish in the top four ahead of local rivals Tottenham.
In addition, Gabriel is keen to make Brazil’s World Cup squad for the winter tournament in Qatar.
He is yet to receive a cap with the South American nation, although this could occur if his strong performances continue. Moving, though, would represent a risk so close to the World Cup.
This is a clever, and obvious, decision for Gabriel to come to. He could feature in the UCL with Arsenal next term, whereas Juve aren’t exactly a team on the rise right now.
Gabriel will be hoping Arsenal can challenge for trophies in the next few years, too. Their summer dealings were excellent and Arteta will need more of the same if they are to get close to England’s elite teams.
READ MORE: Everton relegation could spark Arsenal or Man Utd delight with Richarlison to be ‘given away’
