Arsenal to complete Gabriel transfer this week but quarantine rules mean star will have just days to prepare for season
ARSENAL are reportedly set to complete the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes this week.
Yet report that the defender will need to spend 14 days in quarantine before he can start training with his new team-mates.
Assuming the £27million man arrives in London by the middle of this week, he will not be able to link up with Arsenal's squad until a few days before the season begins on September 12.
Quarantine rules would also mean Gabriel will be forced to watch his new team-mates in the Community Shield against Liverpool this Saturday from home.
That's because the defender is arriving from France, with the UK government imposing strict rules on arrivals that means they must self-isolate for two weeks.
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The Brazil central defender was left out of Lille's 1-1 draw against Rennes yesterday ahead of his expected switch to the Gunners.
Manchester United and Napoli were also chasing the South American.
But Gabriel, whose agent will arrive in London tomorrow, settled on a switch to Arsenal after agreeing a five-year £80,000 a week deal.
Sorting out Arsenal's leaky defence has been Mikel Arteta's biggest concern as they conceded 48 goals last term.
There is speculation Shkodran Mustafi could leave, while David Luiz has only signed a one-year deal.
The Spaniard can call upon French defender William Saliba following his loan spell at St Etienne.
Gabriel would be Arsenal's second signing after Willian joined from Chelsea on a free transfer.
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The Gunners are set for a busy week of transfer activity with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also expected to announce his new deal.
The club captain, 31, has just one year remaining on his current Emirates contract.
Yet he is set to put pen to paper on a bumper £250,000-a-week wage packet to make him the second-highest earner behind Mesut Ozil.