Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Gabriel from Lille.
The Brazilian centre-back was heavily linked with Manchester United but it turns out the club was being used to help accelerate a deal with the Gunners.
Gabriel was linked with a move from Lille to Old Trafford all summer, as per GOAL, but Arsenal were always reported to be in the running for his signature.
🗞 Central defender Gabriel has joined us from French side Lille on a long-term contract!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 1, 2020
Gabriel isn’t be the first footballer to be strongly linked with a move to United, despite an official approach never made by the club to sign him.
It’s a technique that obviously works and it will be interesting to see how good he is when the Premier League season starts.
Manchester United are now being linked with RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, as per ESPN, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking into the transfer market to find Harry Maguire a new defensive partner.
But first United are working towards a deal for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.
The French defender would be a far superior signing but I won’t be getting excited until I see him holding a United shirt — after signing the dotted line.
Read more: Manchester United yet to make offer for Thiago Alcantara
