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GABRIEL MAGALHAES SET TO COMPLETE ARSENAL MEDICALS AHEAD ARTETA’S DEFENSIVE REINFORCEMENT.

Arsenal look set to complete the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes with the defender set to undergo a medical today.

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal have won the race to land the in-demand Lille centre-back having agreed a £22.6million fee.

It is claimed they have now agreed a five-year deal with the 22-year-old defender – and further reports claim he is set to finalise the deal with his medical.

But coronavirus restrictions mean his medical may have to take place in France before he completes his Premier League move, unless he can gain special exemption to avoid 14-day quarantine and undergo the tests in London.

Magalhaes has been heavily linked with Napoli, who have also had a bid accepted.

The young Brazilian has spent the week deliberating his future with offers on the table and reportedly is excited by a Premier League challenge.

He is now set to line-up alongside fellow youngster William Saliba in a new-look defence under Mikel Arteta which Arsenal hope can help them climb the Premier League table again.

Team-mate Jose Fonte recently confirmed he has been asking about playing in the English top flight.

“The club (Lille) have allowed him to speak with other clubs. He’s in the process of moving,” Fonte told newsmen.

“It’s just about him choosing which club, which is a great position to be in. They’re all good clubs.

“We need to understand that every boy’s dream is to play in the Premier League and he’s been asking questions about the Premier League.

“He has been asking questions about clubs in the Premier League. I try to give the best and honest opinions.”

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Chalobah joins Lorient on Loan

Chelsea midfielder Trevoh Chalobah has joined newly promoted French top-flight side Lorient on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old has spent the past two seasons on loan in the Championship with Ipswich and Huddersfield.

Now he will move to northern France to join the Ligue 2 champions, who won the title when the season was ended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The prospect of evolving at the highest level in France and discovering a new culture convinced me,” he said.

Chalobah, an England Under-21 international, has also signed a new contract at Chelsea until 2023.

He could make his Lorient debut at the weekend when they start the new French season with a home game against Strasbourg.

Meanwhile striker Ike Ugbo has extended his contract to 2022 and joined Belgian top-tier side Cercle Bruges on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old, who has previously had loan spells at Barnsley, Scunthorpe and Milton Keynes, will be playing under former Chelsea assistant manager Paul Clement

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Real Madrid go top of La liga

Real Madrid are two points clear at the top of La Liga after grinding out a victory at bottom club Espanyol.

Casemiro scored the only goal as he latched onto Karim Benzema’s brilliant no-look backheel through the legs of defender Bernardo Espinosa before firing home.

The Brazilian had earlier gone close to the opener when his shot from his own half was saved by Diego Lopez.

Espanyol had several chances with Thibaut Courtois making five saves.

Sporting director Francisco Rufete took over as manager on Saturday after replacing Abelardo Fernandez – the third Espanyol boss to be sacked this season.

They put up a good fight, with Wu Lei among the players to go close, but fell just short.

Real Madrid are now only six wins – or five wins and a draw – from a second La Liga title since 2012.

City rivals Atletico can do them a favour when they visit Barca on Thursday.