Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has suggested that Gabriel Magalhães will demand a significant pay rise to renew his contract at the club.
This comes after the praise the defender has received as he scored the match winner against Spurs in the North London derby this weekend. Gabriel was also named Premier League man of the match for that game.
The defender is due to enter contract negotiations with Arsenal.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker was impressed with how the Gunners shut out Spurs on the weekend and said that Gabriel and Saliba are ‘one of the best defensive pairings the Premier League has ever seen’.
Charles Watts believes Gabriel Magalhães will demand around £200k per week
Charles Watts believes with how Gabriel has been performing alongside William Saliba in this Arsenal defence, he might ask for similar wages during the contract negotiations:
“I thought Gabriel was outstanding. He has picked up where he left last season and arguably he’s Arsenal’s best defender.”
“When you look at where Gabriel is now from where he was in 2022. And when you look at the type of contract William Saliba has signed quite recently, compared to the type of contract Gabriel would’ve signed, you can see why he absolutely warrants a new deal.
William Saliba signed a new deal with Arsenal in July 2023 said to be worth £10m per year, which is approximately £190k per week. Gabriel is reported to be on £100k per week.
“It’s one of the best centre back partnerships in world football, if not the best centre back partnership in world football. His centre back partner is on a lot of money, Gabriel would have seen that, Gabriel’s representatives would have seen that when Saliba got that new contract.
“And will rightly be saying to Arsenal during these talks which at the moment are going on, say he’s on this, well these two are a pair.”
“Gabriel’s a little bit older but is still a top, top player and there will be plenty of clubs keeping an eye on him. They will be aware, so they’re in a very strong position in terms of negotiating with Arsenal.”
Pundit believes defender is the ‘best at the club’
Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor said the defender is Arsenal’s best player:
“Watching the game, he is one of the defenders I would have hated to play against. He’s aggressive, he’s strong, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball, and to get that goal, that goal was the only probably chance in the game that was really going to go in for either team,” Agbonlahor said on TalkSport.
