“It’s my dream, I want to go there” — Gabriel Magalhaes

Should Arsenal fans be worried of losing one of their best defenders as Gabriel Magalhaes eyes potential exit from North London?

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has revealed his dream of joining his boyhood club Corinthians whenever his tenure with the Gunners comes to an end.

The Brazilian centre-back, who has become a pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad, expressed his deep-rooted affection for the Sao Paulo-based club in a candid interview with ESPN Brasil.

Gabriel, who transferred to Arsenal from French side Lille for £27 million, has established himself as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense.

His impressive performances alongside William Saliba have been crucial in securing Arsenal’s backline, making them one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in the Premier League.

Gabriel Magalhaes featured in every Premier League game during the 2022/23 season and made 36 appearances in the current campaign, although the Gunners narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City once again.

Despite the attention from top clubs such as Manchester United, Everton, and Fiorentina at the time of his move to Arsenal, Gabriel’s heart remains with Corinthians, the club he has supported since childhood.

“My favorite club? Corinthians. That’s since I was born, and today I don’t think it has to be any different,” Gabriel shared with ESPN Brasil. “I still go to Corinthians games by train. It’s my dream, I want to play for Corinthians. I want to feel that energy. It’s something to think about.”

The 26-year-old defender, who hails from Sao Paulo, reflected on his aspirations and the possibility of returning to Brazil.

“Sometimes I stop and think, ‘Do I dream of playing for Corinthians?’ I do,” he said. “When would I play for Corinthians? For me, I’d be at Corinthians tomorrow. I hope it doesn’t take me long because I want to feel the energy of those fans, who are incredible, as soon as possible.”

Gabriel is also gearing up to represent Brazil in this summer’s Copa America, which will be hosted by the United States and will include teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean as part of a new strategic partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF.