THE Gunners hope to fend off strong competition from Napoli to buy 22-year-old defender Gabriel Magalhães from Lille, reports AFP.

Arsenal’s outreach to Gabriel should come to an end this week.

The North London club is waiting for Napoli to make a decision on the defender’s future.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was determined to bring in another defender this summer to coincide with the arrival of William Saliba.

He is now in pre-season training after completing his season-long loan deal at Saint-Étienne.

The Gunners, who have been successful in the FA Cup this season, have had a few players in their sights over the last few months.

Among them are Malang Sarr, who left Nice and is now a free agent, and Axel Disasi, who recently moved from Stade de Reims to Monaco.

But the Gunners’ interest is focused on Gabriel, Lille’s Brazilian defender.

In addition, talks with Lille have now reached a stage where a decision will be made about the 22-year-old’s future.

The Ligue 1 club have long accepted that Gabriel will leave this summer.

He made it clear to all interested clubs, including Arsenal, that this top player would cost £ 25 million (approximately R570 million).

Arsenal and Napoli are now leading the prayer for Gabriel’s services.