Arsenal center-back targeted by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in lucrative move | OneFootball

Saudi Arabian clubs have made headlines over the past two and a half years by signing several high-profile players from the Premier League. Al-Nassr set the trend by securing Cristiano Ronaldo's signature, a move that grabbed global attention. A season later, they added the likes of Sadio Mané and Aymeric Laporte to their ranks. Notably, Angelo Gabriel joined from Chelsea last season. Now, reports suggest Al-Nassr has its eyes on another Premier League star.

Arsenal center-back Gabriel Magalhães is the latest player linked with a move to the Middle East, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. It is reported that Al-Nassr has already made initial contact with the Brazilian's representatives, offering a salary package of around €20 million, three times his current earnings at Arsenal.

However, Arsenal is unlikely to entertain any offer below €100m. Gabriel is considered a key player for Mikel Arteta, and the club expects him to extend his contract. Despite being open to a potential move to Saudi Arabia later in his career, the 25-year-old defender is currently focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal.

At present, Al-Nassr's preferred center-back pairing features Mohamed Simakan and Aymeric Laporte. Yet, the Riyadh-based club sits third in the Saudi Pro League, trailing leaders Al-Ittihad by eight points. Since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, Al-Nassr has yet to secure a trophy, making their pursuit of reinforcements understandable. Targeting Gabriel, a player regarded among the best defenders in Europe, signals their intent to bolster the squad further.

Currently, Gabriel is with the Brazilian national team as they prepare for the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Brazil will host Colombia on Friday at 12:45 am GMT and face world champions Argentina on Wednesday at 12:00 am GMT. The five-time World Cup winners are fifth in the qualification table, with the top six earning direct entry to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In the Premier League, Gabriel's Arsenal are currently second in the table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool. In their most recent match, they secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Arsenal are also still in the UEFA Champions League, where they have been drawn against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.