Former Southampton defender Jose Fonte has revealed that Arsenal transfer target Gabriel Magalhaes has been asking about Premier League clubs.
On Tuesday it was widely reported that the Gunners have agreed a deal worth £22m with Lille to sign Gabriel, but are facing competition from Napoli.
While the centre-back has also been linked with Manchester United and Everton in the past few weeks.
Lille's president Gerard Lopez confirmed over the weekend that several clubs had met their asking price for the Brazilian and is expecting a decision fairly soon.
"He [Gabriel] is one of the players that we allowed to exit the club this summer, he asked for it and wants to try something else," Lopez told Sky Sports.
"We clearly told him what our expectations were, we spoke to a number of clubs, our expectations were met by a number of clubs and we have given him the time to decide.
"It is going to be entirely his decision.
"We tend to try and steer our players in certain directions, but at the end of the day it's the player's decision. I know he is going to make a decision early next week."
And Fonte’s comments will no doubt excite Arsenal fans with the defender revealing his club teammate has been quizzing him about England’s top-flight.
“I think it is quite public. The club has allowed him to speak with other clubs. He’s in the process of moving, to be quite honest,” he told talkSPORT.
“It is just about him choosing which club, which is a great position to be in. He just needs to choose where he wants to go and they are all good clubs.
“I’m happy for him, very happy for him, he is a great player. We need to understand that every boy's dream is to play in the Premier League.
“He has been asking questions about the Premier League and clubs in the Premier League. So I try to give the best and honest opinions.
“Hopefully he will make his own decision and he will be very successful, I have no doubt about it.”
