The Brazil international joined the Gunners from Lille five years ago and after an inauspicious start has developed into one of the Premier League’s best central defenders.
Arsenal have already entered into fresh negotiations with Bukayo Saka but William Saliba, despite insisting he is content at the club, is in no rush, by his own admittance, to commence talks over extending his contract.
Renewing Gabriel’s contract represents a task that will be close the top of Berta’s in-tray, too, but Al Nassr’s renewed interest could throw a serious spanner in the works.
The 27-year-old came close to leaving in the summer of 2023 amid interest from the Saudi Pro League and was demoted by Mikel Arteta at the start of that season.
After snubbing the Saudi overtures, Gabriel quickly won his place back in the team and his seniority in the squad was reflected by the fact he wore the captain’s armband during the closing stages of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Despite his obvious affection for Arsenal, the eye-watering salary on offer at a club who have already secured the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran is sure to turn his head.
According to GiveMeSport, Gabriel is likely to be tempted with a €20million (£16.8m) a year package that would see him treble his current earnings.
Arsenal would be extremely reluctant to sell and break-up arguably the Premier League’s strongest defensive partnership and would not even countenance an offer below €100m which would represent a world record fee for a centre-half.
While that cash would come in useful, Arsenal are already primed for a summer of significant expenditure regardless of any money they accrue from player sales.
Arsenal, much to the frustration of their supporters, kept their powder dry in the January window and opted to focus on securing their top targets in the summer rather than recruit short-term solutions.
Arteta’s focus is likely to centre on strengthening his attack with Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko at the top of his striker wishlist.
A deal for Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi is already understood to be at an advanced stage while Arsenal are still said to hold interest in another Newcastle player and long-term target Bruno Guimaraes.
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