Gabriel Paulista signs for Arsenal from Villareal

Arsenal have completed the signing of Gabriel Paulista from La Liga side Villareal, according to reports from Spain. The 24-year-old Brazilian is said to have signed a four and a half year deal with the Gunners pending a medical and a work permit.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed earlier this week that the club were in talks with Villarreal in a bid to sign the central defender Gabriel Paulista.

"The talks are progressing quite well," he said. "Can we find an agreement or not I don't know. We are slowly progressing and there is a chance." Wenger said

Gabriel Paulista was left out of the Villareal squad to face Levante at the weekend and also on the official club announcement altogether, which suggests he was a move closer to leaving the Spanish outfit.

Brazilian Gabriel said goodbye to Villarreal fans ahead of their La Liga clash with Levante on Saturday.

The deals were soon confirmed via statements on the Villarreal club website, with the Spanish outfit saying that there were still some details to be concluded before everything was finalised.

"Ahead of the finalisation of some small contractual details on Monday, Villarreal and Arsenal have agreed the transfer of the Brazilian defender Gabriel Armando de Abreu," the statement said. "Once the centre-half passes a medical he will join the London Premier League club."

The statement on the Campbell deal also said the move was still dependent on a medical.

"Villarreal and Arsenal have reached agreement for the loan for the Costa Rican player Joel Campbell, who after passing the usual medical will play with the 'Submarine' until the end of the season."