Villarreal's Gabriel granted work permit in potential Arsenal move

Published Jan. 26, 2015 12:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arsenal's deal for Villarreal defender Gabriel has moved a step closer after he was granted a work permit.

Gabriel is uncapped and was not entitled to an automatic permit, but Arsene Wenger said on Sunday he did not foresee a problem with the Brazilian's application.

And it is understood that Arsenal can now press ahead with finalising a signing believed to be worth 18m euros to the Spanish club.

That sum is worth significantly less in sterling than it would have been on 7 January, and Arsenal stand to save £700,000 on the deal, according to sources in Spain.