Arsenal leading the race to sign Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal have reportedly jumped ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

The 22-year-old has been tipped to leaves Les Dogues this summer and he is currently the subject of interest from multiple European clubs.

Napoli and Manchester United have regularly been linked with his services in recent weeks, but France Bleu claims that the Gunners are in pole position to sign him.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants a new centre-back following the hamstring injury for Shkodran Mustafi and he is prepared to lure Gabriel to the Emirates with the assurance of regular game time.

The north London side have a good relationship with Lille after the £72m purchase of Nicolas Pepe in an instalment package last summer and it is claimed that they could sign Gabriel in a similar agreement.

The Gunners are likely to work on a limited £30m budget this summer and Arteta will have to recoup additional funds from the sale of out-of-favour players. Gabriel is currently valued at £27m.