Arsenal target Paulista

Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Villareal defender Gabriel Paulista having cooled their interest in Saint-Etienne's Loic Perrin.

The Gunners are believed to be keen on signing a new centre-back in the current transfer window with the likes of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Kosciely being the only reliable options in the heart of the defence.

According to L'Equipe, the North London outfit will step up their interest in Paulista having failed to seal a deal for French defender Perrin.

Arsenal host Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday.