Arsenal keen to tie down 26-year-old star to new contract: Reports

Arsenal are eager to tie their key players to the club for the coming seasons. One player who has grown from strength to strength is Gabriel Magalhaes, with the Gunners now in talks for a contract extension to ward off interest from other clubs.

The defender joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to €30 million from French club LOSC Lille in 2020. Since then, he has become a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s plans, forming an excellent partnership with William Saliba at the heart of the defense.

The Brazilian center-back was named in the PFA Team of the Season for 2023-24. Overall, he has made 172 appearances for the club and besides providing stability to the backline, has chipped in with 16 goals.

Gabriel’s contract runs until 2027, and although Arsenal appear relaxed about his situation, there have recently been links to several top European clubs. A report from CaughtOffside suggested that Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain scouted Gabriel during the weekend’s North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored a towering header to secure a 1-0 win for Arsenal.

Arteta will certainly want to secure the defender’s long-term future in London. According to TBR Football, the club have already initiated talks about extending his contract beyond 2027. Gabriel’s current deal earns him £100,000 per week, making him one of the lower-paid players in the squad.

With Saliba reportedly earning £190,000 per week, Gabriel will likely push for an increase in his wages to match his defensive partner, considering his consistency and improvement over the past year.

Arsenal, however, will undoubtedly aim to fend off any interest and secure a contract extension for a player central to their recent success.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praises Gabriel’s impact following victory over Tottenham

Mikel Arteta would have certainly been satisfied with the Gunners’ defensive performance against Spurs, as they were consistently under pressure during their 1-0 victory. Gabriel, named Player of the Match, delivered an outstanding performance in defense in addition to scoring the decisive goal.

Arteta was undoubtedly pleased with the Brazilian’s development and praised his character, which has helped him grow into one of the best center-backs in the league.

"The way he has evolved first as a person and then in his role in the club and the team has been phenomenal. It has been great to watch. He loves what he does, he applies himself extremely well and he wants it. When that happens, good things happen to these kinds of people," Arteta said (via FootballLondon).

Arsenal will next face Atalanta in an away Champions League game on Thursday, September 19.