Arsenal defender set for return to Spanish football ‘imminently’

Arsenal are focusing on trimming their squad in the final weeks of the campaign and a defensive departure now appears to be imminent.

Widespread reports indicate Arsenal have approved a sale of Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista to Spanish outfit Valencia in a deal worth £10m, which is expected to me made official at some point today after a major hint was dropped on social media last night.

The 26-year-old South American defender joined Arsenal from Villarreal in January 2015 but has struggled to become a regular in the squad, with the signings of Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding last summer pushing him further down the pecking order.

With just 46 Premier League appearances to his name and one goal, Gabriel will return to Spanish football to join a Valencia side that’s keen on redemption after a difficult few years- including spells where they flirted with relegation.

He’ll join fellow new recruits Simone Zaza and Neto, who joined from Juventus, as well as Fabian Orellana and Nemanja Maksimovic.