Arsenal target Gabriel Paulista has been left out of Villarreal's squad for their La Liga game with Levante this weekend.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed on Thursday his interest in signing the Brazilian centre-back and that negotiations were "progressing quite well".
A deal could be edging ever closer after the Spanish club revealed on their website that the 24-year-old would not feature at El Madrigal on Saturday.
It is rumoured that Paulista has a £15m release clause in his contract and Wenger has suggested that he would be willing to pay it this month.
Paulista has made 37 league appearances for Villarreal since joining from Brazilian club Vitoria in 2013.
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