Arsenal are close to finally signing Gabriel Paulista – Wenger confirmed

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has been locked in negotiations this week to bring in the Brazilian defender, and said during his weekly press conference he was hopeful of doing business. Wenger said: “[It’s] 50-50 at this moment, yes. We respect the rules in England. When you buy a player who does not fulfil the criteria […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-01-22 19:22:00

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has been locked in negotiations this week to bring in the Brazilian defender, and said during his weekly press conference he was hopeful of doing business.

Wenger said: "[It’s] 50-50 at this moment, yes. We respect the rules in England. When you buy a player who does not fulfil the criteria and needs a work permit, you go in front of a commission and they tell you yes or no.

"We will accept that, we have to respect the rules that are in this country. After are the rule sight or not, that can be discussed. At the moment the rules are like that, you have to go in front of a committee for a work permit.

"The talks are progressing quite well, to be serious. I don’t think there’s need to say much more. We are talking at the moment, can we find an agreement or not? I don’t know. We are slowly progressing but there’s a chance.

"We are ready to pay the price we think is right for a good player, no matter what the price is. If we think it’s the right price we will pay."

But because Paulista is not a European Union citizen and has yet to establish himself as a senior Brazil international, he would not meet the automatic work permit criteria.

Arsenal would have to convince a Football Association hearing that the defender was an “exceptional talent" and so should be granted permission to work in the United Kingdom.

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