Arsenal's hopes of landing Gabriel Magalhaes this summer could be affected by Manchester City's own pursuit of defensive reinforcements in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly.
Recent reports have suggested that Napoli are closing on the £22million signing of Magalhaes, and are believed to have agreed personal terms with the Lille defender.
City have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, as have both Chelsea and Everton in recent months.
However, just over a week ago, France Bleu reported that Arsenal had taken pole position to land the defender this summer, getting an advantage from Napoli.
Lille have already replaced the Brazilian with Sven Botman, who signed for the club on Friday for €8 million.
But now it appears that the Gunners face even sterner competition for Gabriel's services - and City could profit as a result.
City value Koulibaly at around £55million, but the news on Magalhaes should stiffen their resolve, as Napoli would need to fund his purchase with the proceeds from Koulibaly’s sale.
The Italian club are said to be demanding around £62million for the 29-year-old, who could become Pep Guardiola’s third recruit of the summer behind Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres.
But there is hope for the Gunners yet though, as City, according to the MEN, are wary in their dealings with Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis, after the deal they had agreed for Jorginho collapsed at the last moment two years ago.
City were furious that, after shaking hands on a £44million deal, Napoli pulled out at the last minute and sold him to Chelsea for £53million after threatening the player with training with the youth team for the last two years of his contract.
So while there is still hope for the Gunners that they can get their man this summer, there is also the strong possibility that they could miss out on him and allow a rival to strengthen at the same time.
