Arsenal have agreed a new contract with Gabriel Magalhaes which will run until 2029 – there is not believed to be an option for a further year. The Brazilian commits his future to the club following talks and despite interest from abroad, including from Saudi Arabia, football.london understands.
Having joined the club as one of Mikel Arteta’s first-ever signings in 2020, the now 27-year-old has risen to become one of the league’s best players in his position. He has formed a very strong partnership with William Saliba, who is also understood to be in talks over a new deal with positive signs already emerging from the discussions.
“I arrived here as a young player and after almost five years I’m so happy and I’ve learned a lot,” he told the Arsenal website. “I’m so proud of myself, it’s an amazing journey, and I’m so happy to continue it. I hope I win some trophies with this club, because I love this club and my family loves the club, too.”
“Arsenal is an amazing club and I’m so proud to sign a new contract. I love this club, I love the supporters, my teammates, I love this stadium. I’m so proud and thank you for all the support. We continue together for the future.”
Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s new sporting director, has been leading the talks with several players, including Gabriel, whose talks began before the Italian’s appointment. However, Berta has been swift to address not just the need for signings at the club but also the desire to keep the side’s best players at the club.
Gabriel is currently out injured and recovering from a hamstring issue, which meant he missed the end of the season including Champions League matches against Real Madrid and PSG.
The Brazilian centre-back was often videoed either from home or in the stands, celebrating wildly his teammates’ successes and goals during matches while he was unable to play.
There is hope he will return for the start of next season, although pre-season may come too soon for the Brazilian international.
This is the second new contract that Gabriel has signed since his arrival. The sense that he can win major silverware with the team alongside his attachment to this club he has spent his best years at, with hopefully more to come, was a key factor in the player’s decision to extend with the Gunners.
