INSIDER THINKS £27M PLAYER COULD BE NEXT CAPTAIN IF HE DOESN’T LEAVE ARSENAL.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is attracting major interest from Barcelona – but some inside the Emirates Stadium see him as the club’s next captain.

Out of nowhere, Arsenal star Gabriel is suddenly being linked with a big move away from the Emirates Stadium.

Barcelona are keen to sign Gabriel according to SPORT, and are willing to send players to Arsenal in exchange.

The Brazilian defender has impressed for Arsenal since joining from Lille for £27million back in the summer of 2020.

Gabriel has particularly excelled this season, forming a strong central defensive partnership with Ben White.

The right-foot and left-foot combination has been just what Mikel Arteta wanted and Gabriel is now in demand.

Barca seemingly fancy Gabriel as they chase a left-footed centre back and, despite their financial issues in recent times, could launch a bid.

Arsenal will of course want to keep hold of Gabriel, especially as some think he could become Gunners captain.

Football London report that Gabriel has become a leader at Arsenal and he’s even being viewed as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette as skipper.

Lacazette’s contract expires this summer and it looks like the Frenchman will be moving on for free.

Lacazette even being given the armband in the first place seemed strange. Arsenal knew his contract was expiring but needed to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The striker’s exit would leave Arsenal needing another new captain and it doesn’t look like Granit Xhaka will return to that role.

Gabriel may therefore become a frontrunner for the captaincy – at least if Arsenal manage to keep him.

It sounds very Football Manager, but Arsenal may even be able to dangle the armband in front of Gabriel – figuratively, of course – to convince him to stay.

Whether it’s Arsenal captain or Barcelona, Gabriel could be in for a big summer.