Arsenal close in on Gabriel Paulista but face work permit battle for Villareal Brazilian defender

Arsenal close in on Gabriel Paulista but face work permit battle for Brazilian defender

 ► Arsenal close to agreeing £15million deal for Villareal defender... The 24-year-old has not played a senior match for his country, and hence will have great difficulty in obtaining a work permit.

However, Arsenal are set to appeal any such decision in their attempts to land Paulista this month.


Should the FA, who rule on behalf of the Home Office in such cases, refuse to grant the defender the necessary paperwork to play in the UK, the Gunners will then have to prove Paulista is an 'exceptional talent' in their bid to land him a permit.

This will be easier said than done, however, given the Paulista has not played for Brazil.

Rules state that only players who have played 75 percent of matches for a nation inside FIFA's top 70 within the past two years are eligible for work permits.

 ► Gabriel Paulista has not played a senior match for Brazil - meaning obtaining a work permit could prove difficult

 ► Arsenal may cite case of Andrej Kramaric who was allowed to join Leicester despite only having four caps for Croatia

Arsenal are bracing themselves for a battle with the Home Office as they look to seal a move for Gabriel Paulista.

The Gunners were on Wednesday close to agreeing a deal with Villareal for the central defender, who has a £15million release clause.

But the biggest stumbling block towards a deal will be securing the Brazilian a work permit.