Arsenal are considering a move for Villarreal centre-back Gabriel Paulista, according to a report in L’Equipe.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for St Etienne defender Loic Perrin in recent weeks, although there has been no concrete offer despite them being in contact with the player’s representatives.
L’Equipe reports that the Londoners have cooled on any possible deal for Perrin and are now turning their attentions to Paulista, who joined Villarreal in July 2013 from Vitoria in his native Brazil for a reported €3.3m.
The 24-year-old has been a mainstay of the Yellow Submarine’s team this season, having made 17 La Liga appearances for Marcelino’s men, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to shore up a defence that has looked vulnerable when Laurent Koscielny has been unavailable.
However, the Premier League outfit could face a problem in bringing Paulista to the Emirates Stadium since he is not a full international, one of the criteria for English clubs to sign a foreign player.
Arsenal could struggle to obtain a work permit for the player and must find a way around the dilemma before any agreement can be finalised.
