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Arsenal 'in talks' with Villarreal defender Paulista

ESPN staff
January 19, 2015
Gabriel Paulista previously said he would love to play in the Premier League © Getty Images
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Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista claims his agent is in talks with Arsenal over a proposed January move to the Emirates.

Wenger said it would be "too risky" not to sign a defender this transfer window after seeing his squad ravaged by injuries; Mathieu Debuchy will be out for three months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

"Whether I go to Arsenal or stay at Villarreal, I won't lose my head," Gabriel said after Villarreal's victory against Atletico Bilbao on Saturday, according to the Guardian.

"I'm very calm. My head is at Villarreal and I'm very focused. My agent is working on making sure I continue being calm."

The newspaper also reports Villarreal are keen to take Joel Campbell on loan for the remainder of the season, which could make negotiations easier for the North London club.

The Costa Rica forward has fallen down the pecking order following Olivier Giroud's recent good form and, with Danny Welbeck expected to return to fitness in the next two weeks, his chances may be limited further.

Paulista has been at the heart of a Villarreal side that has gone unbeaten since November and joined the La Liga side for £2.5 million from Vitoria in August 2013.

However, the Mirror reports that Arsenal may face problems in getting a work permit for the Brazilian - meaning Wenger may have to rely on other targets such as West Ham's Winston Reid.

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