Mikel Arteta almost sold key Arsenal defender in 2023 as he wanted Manchester City star - Reports
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta nearly sanctioned Gabriel Magalhaes' exit at the start of the 2023-24 campaign as he was targeting former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.
Magalhaes has played an instrumental role in the Gunners' title push this season, forming a formidable partnership at the back with William Saliba. The duo have helped their side maintain the best defensive record in the league, with just 29 goals conceded.
Magalhaes helped maintain 15 of Arsenal's 18 clean sheets, while his partner Saliba became the first outfield player in the club's Premier League history to play every single minute of the season.
However, the Brazil international had a rocky start to the season. Magalhaes did not feature in Arteta's starting XI for his first two games and was left on the bench for the third. According to The Athletic, the defender's future was uncertain at the time (via Metro).
He had reportedly attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and Arsenal were willing to listen to offers while they searched for alternatives. The Gunners were also interested in Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi, but their top target was Laporte, who was still at Manchester City last August.
However, the Cityzens were hesitant to help strengthen Arsenal's squad any further after Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko's transfers, and the move never materialized.
Laporte went on to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a reported £25 million, while Magalhaes stayed at the Emirates to help the Gunners challenge for the Premier League title.
"They need a striker" - Micah Richards explains why Manchester City had the upper hand in PL title race against Arsenal
Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy for the fourth consecutive season in a row with their victory on Sunday (19 May), imprinting their names in the history books yet again.
The Cityzens won the league by two points after a hard-fought title race with the Gunners. While acknowledging how extraordinary Mikel Arteta's men have been this season, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards couldn't help but point out areas that require reinforcement.
The pundit believes the north Londoners need to sign a striker and a defensive midfielder in the summer. He insists that Arsenal's current No.9, Gabriel Jesus, is not up to the mark, while Declan Rice needs a good partner by his side.
Richards said (via Metro):
"I think they’ve been outstanding. They need a striker. In certain moments, in big games Man City have got an array of talent that can change games. I think Arsenal have done that at times with [Leandro] Trossard."
"I think Jesus has not lived up to the expectations of what we all thought. So they need a striker and a defensive midfielder as well to play in there with Declan Rice but apart from that I think they’re all good."