Key Arsenal star could be Ronaldo's teammate as Al Nassr plot audacious bid

The Arsenal star could join the Saudi giants in a blockbuster move with the club having already been in contact with the defender.

The Gunners are determined to see the central defender extend his contract with them. Incoming sporting director Gabriel Berta is set to lead those negotiations.

Gabriel's existing deal is set to expire in 2027.

However, the Saudi side are serious in their attempts to poach the superstar.

It's understood that Al Nassr are prepared to offer a salary in the region of €20million (around £16.8m).

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That's around three times the amount of his existing Arsenal package.

Gabriel is understood to be fully focused on the rest of the campaign with the Gunners and striving to help the club to win the Champions League.

But he is open to head to Saudi Arabia at some point in the future.

Arsenal are unlikely to consider offers worth less than £100m for the Brazilian due to his importance to the side.

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With a preference to extend his contract, the next few months could be pivotal in deciding his future.

If Gabriel was to join Al Nassr he'd likely team up with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's contract at Al Nassr is due to expire in the summer, however, it's reported that the club are optimistic the Portuguese superstar will extend his stay.

Tempting Gabriel away from Arsenal could hinge on how the season plays out.

The Gunners are currently second in the Premier League but sit 12 points behind current leaders Liverpool.

It means that Arsenal have significant work to do if they're to end their 21-year wait to win the title.

Eliminated from the FA Cup, Gabriel's only chance of winning silverware this season is in the Champions League.

After seeing off PSV Eindhoven in the last-16, Arsenal now face Real Madrid over two legs in the quarter final as they seek to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Should Gabriel stick around, it could boost Arsenal's hopes of signing his international teammate.

The Gunners have added Carabao Cup winning Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to their list of summer transfer targets, talkSPORT understands.

The Magpies had Guimaraes under contract until 2028, but could be vulnerable to a bid if they do not qualify for the Champions League.