Arsenal agree fee for Villarreal centre-back Gabriel Paulista

Arsenal have agreed a fee for Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista, the La Liga club has announced.

The centre-back has been heavily linked with the North London side for a couple of weeks, and both clubs admitted this week that talks were ongoing.

Sky Sports News claims that the fee is in the region of £11.2m, and that the player has agreed a long-term deal, while Gunners striker Joel Campbell will move in the opposite direction on loan.

Arsene Wenger has been actively searching for a new centre-back in this window and Brazilian Paulista, who has made 25 appearances for Villarreal so far this season, will strengthen his defensive options.