Arsenal are supposedly on the brink of tying key defender Gabriel Magalhaes down to a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazil international - who was recently voted the Gunners' Player of the Season for the 2024-25 campaign by an esteemed Arsenal expert - is currently due to become a free agent in two years' time.
Securing the future of Gabriel - who has been out since early April with a hamstring problem - was one of several contract-related priorities on Andrea Berta's in-tray for the summer.
The former Lille man was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia a couple of years back, although his future has not been called into question as much over the past 12 months given his status as one of Arsenal's most dependable performers.
Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the Gunners have made significant progress in talks over a renewal and are 'on the verge' of tying Gabriel down to a fresh contract.
Gabriel to commit to Arsenal 'until 2030'
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Gabriel's new terms will apparently be a three-year extension to his current deal, meaning he will be contracted to Mikel Arteta's side until the end of the 2029-30 season, by which point he will be 32.
The Brazil international should therefore spend the prime years of his career in North London, and it is seemingly only a matter of time before his new terms are announced, as negotiations have hit an advanced stage.
Gabriel was one of Arteta's first signings at Arsenal, arriving in a £21.9m deal from Lille in the summer of 2020, and the 27-year-old has proven to be a brilliant investment since.
Gabriel boasts 20 goals and five assists from 210 matches for the Premier League runners-up, playing a critical role in their transformation from mid-table strugglers to title contenders and Champions League regulars.
The South American managed five goals and three assists from 42 matches in the 2024-25 campaign before his season-ending injury, consistently demonstrating a devastating threat from set-pieces.
Gabriel signs: Which Arsenal players are next?
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As key as Arsenal's external business is this summer - where a new striker, left-winger, goalkeeper and number six must be sought - several contract renewals are also of utmost importance.
Gabriel is one of several who committed their futures to the club in the 2022-23 season, when ex-sporting director Edu led a fierce contract drive, and his centre-back partner William Saliba is another whose terms expire in 2027.
The Frenchman was supposedly monitored by Real Madrid earlier in the year, but Los Blancos temporarily abandoned their pursuit and instead struck a £50m deal to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
At the other end of the field, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli could also become free agents in two years, and Leandro Trossard - whose deal runs out in 2026 - is expected to be offered a long-term renewal as well.
Academy talents Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are in line for bumper pay rises too, while Thomas Partey is expected to pen an extension to remain at the club beyond the summer.
Ben Knapton
