Arsenal star names the one club he would join ‘tomorrow’ when he leaves the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes has identified the one club he would join “tomorrow” when he eventually leaves the Gunners.

The Brazilian center-back moved to the Emirates Stadium from French club Lille for a fee of £27 million. Arsenal had to fend off interest from Manchester United, Everton, and Fiorentina to sign the then 22-year-old, who has since become one of Mikel Arteta’s key players. He played every Premier League game for Arsenal in the 2022/23 campaign and made 36 appearances this term as the Gunners were pipped to the title by Manchester City.

His partnership with William Saliba is one of the most defensively secure in the Premier League, and Gabriel is aiming to shine with Brazil at this summer’s Copa America. This year’s competition will feature teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean as part of a new strategic partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, with the tournament hosted by the United States.

Speaking with ESPN Brasil before the tournament, Gabriel revealed the one club he dreams of joining whenever he decides to leave Arsenal: his boyhood club, Corinthians.

The Sao Paulo-born defender said, “My favourite club? Corinthians. That’s since I was born, and today I don’t think it has to be any different. I still go to Corinthians games by train. It’s my dream, I want to play for Corinthians. I want to feel that energy. It’s something to think about. Sometimes I stop and think, ‘Do I dream of playing for Corinthians?’ I do.

“When would I play for Corinthians? For me, I’d be at Corinthians tomorrow. I hope it doesn’t take me long because I want to feel the energy of those fans, who are incredible, as soon as possible.”

Arsenal fans concerned by these comments need not worry just yet. Gabriel’s current contract expires in 2027, and Arsenal would likely command a much larger fee than the £27 million they paid for him.