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The deal for Krystian Bielik has barely been completed and announced and it’s unto the next one already at the Emirates as 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.
[box type=”info” fontsize=”14″]The 24 year old Brazilian has not played any match for his country and as such might encounter some difficulty in getting his work permit. 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.[/box]
The 24 year old Brazilian has not played any match for his country and as such might encounter some difficulty in getting his work permit.
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.
[quote font=”play” font_size=”16″ bgcolor=”#ffffff” align=”right”]’We want the player, and if he needs a work permit we will defend it now.[/quote]
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. However, the Gunners could use Leicester’s recent signing of Andrej Kramaric as precedent in an appeal process.
There were major doubts over Leicester’s capture of Kramaric earlier this month given he has just four caps for Croatia to his name. But the Foxes successfully argued to the FA that Kramaric was of ‘exceptional talent’ and eventually saw Wembley chiefs endorse their application.
Talks are continuing with the Spanish club over the fee required to prise away the 24-year-old, whose eagerness to swap El Madrigal for the Emirates Stadium has effectively forced Villarreal to consider offers lower than the £16m release clause in his contract. Arsenal hope to strike an agreement for an initial £6m with add-ons that could take the fee beyond £10m.
There is confidence within the club’s hierarchy that the panel could be persuaded of the player’s pedigree despite the fact that, ideally, they would be paying only an initial £6m for his services. Arsenal are anxious to avoid repeating the scenario which saw them forced to loan Joel Campbell of Costa Rica, and Mexico’s Carlos Vela to clubs in Europe before securing the green light to bring the players to the Premier League.
[box type=”note” fontsize=”14″]The need for defensive cover has been accelerated by the loss of Mathieu Debuchy for three months with a shoulder injury and Laurent Koscielny’s Achilles complaint[/box]
Arsène Wenger does have potential alternatives should the FA block the move, with Espanyol’s Mexico international Héctor Moreno, who has 57 caps and has just taken on Mino Raiola as his agent, or Winston Reid of West Ham United likely candidates. The latter is out of contract in the summer but would cost in excess of £7m.
Mat Hummels has also been sounded out as a target in some areas but I doubt any move has been made for the Dortmund skipper.
The clubs are also now in quite advanced negotiations with Villarreal for Paulista although a final fee has not yet been agreed. Villarreal are holding out for a £15.25 million (20 million euros) release clause.
[iconbox title=”Fact Sheet” title_align=”center” content_align=”center” title_color=”#000000″ align=”center” type=”vector” icon=”momizat-icon-profile” icon_align_to=”box” size=”32″ icon_bg=”circle” icon_bg_color=”#75d631″ icon_animation=”bounceIn” icon_animation_duration=”10″]A few things about Paulista I’m sure you did’nt know…[/iconbox]
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- The 24-year-old was born in São Paulo but graduated through Esporte Clube Vitória’s youth set-up in Salvador.
- The defender made his debut in the Brazilian top flight against Flamengo in 2010 when he still only 19.
- He is primarily a right-sided centre-back but also has experience playing both right-back and left-back.
- Was elected the best central defender of the Campeonato Baiano tournament that Vitoria won in 2013.
- Moved to Villarreal in 2013 where he has signed a five year contract. He has helped the Spanish club to a 15-game unbeaten run, picking up 20 of the last 24 points.
- His release clause is set at £15.25 million (20 millions euros). While Arsenal are already in talks to sign him, he has also attracted interest from Manchester United.
- He has played in all 19 La Liga games this season for Villarreal, who have conceded only 17 goals in the league this season.
- Paulista has never played for Brazil and so could only gain a work permit to play in England on appeal.
Asked about rumours that we were in for Paulista just last Friday and Wenger denied it, saying a very big No.
But in his presser today, Wenger confirmed: ‘The talks are progressing quite well with Villarreal for Paulista. We are talking at the moment and slowly progressing. We are ready to pay the price for a good player.
At least he did not say he had not heard of the player before like he always does.
So, in conclusion, Arsenal bid £9 Million below the players valuation, he will struggle to get a work permit and yet they remain hopeful of a deal. No one can say Arsenal are not a positive bunch can they, but all said and done, it is difficult to see this particular deal happening this winter.
