First of all I should say that I still expect Arsenal to complete the transfer of the Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista from La Liga, even though the latest reports suggest that we have yet to come to an agreement with his current club Villarreal on the transfer fee.
I very much doubt that Arsene Wenger would have been so forthcoming about the ongoing transfer talks if he was not extremely confident of sealing the deal for the talented 24-year old. However, there is apparently a new complication to go with the cost and the work permit issue, according to a Daily Star report.
The paper claims that the Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is also a big fan of Paulista and is hoping to hijack his transfer to the Gunners. The versatility of the player and his ability to play anywhere in a back three formation makes him the ideal signing for the Dutchman and we know that United do not mind splashing the cash.
But before you start to get too worried, the paper has got this news from sources in Spain, so how likely is it that people from Villarreal have planted this `rumour` in the press in order to get Wenger to sharpen his pencil and come closer to the £15 million release clause? It would not be the first time but it would not be the first time that Arsenal have lost a player we thought we had wrapped up because of money. So what do you think Wenger will do?