Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista open to January move amid Arsenal interest

Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista has revealed he could leave the La Liga side before the January transfer window closes, indicating Arsenal is a possible destination.

Paulista, 24, is one of a host of names to have been linked with a January move to the Gunners after manager Arsene Wenger made signing a defender a priority this month.

The Brazilian centre half appeared to invite the Premier League club to bid for him in a recent interview with Globo Esporte, where he revealed his career 'dream' to play in England.

And he has further fuelled talk of a move to north London after revealing his agent is working towards a possible transfer.

"I am calm in regards to my future," he said. "My head is here and I am very focused but my agent is working. Whether I go to Arsenal or I stay here, I have a calm head either way."

Paulista left Brazilian side Vitoria to join Villarreal in 2013 and has grown into an integral member of Marcelino's squad following initial struggles to adapt to life in Spain.

Villarreal's interest in Arsenal's Joel Campbell could also play a factor in any move taking place.

A three month layoff for Mathieu Debuchy has heightened Arsenal's need for defensive reinforcements. West Ham United's Winston Reid and St-Etienne skipper Loic Perrin have also been considered but the Gunners boss admits the club face real difficulty in signing the right player in January.

"We are a big attraction, but if it was easy we would do it. We haven't found anyone," Wenger said. "I am not the only one working on the case. It's not a supermarket where you go in and buy a defender, it's a market that is very restricted.

"Players who can strengthen the best 10 teams in Europe, you don't find many and it's the same for everybody.

"Of course we have made enquiries and then you have a second handicap of who wants to sell their best players, especially a central defender, in the middle of the season. They say, 'OK, come back in June or July and maybe yes."