Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista has been granted a work permit ahead of his move to Arsenal.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger confirmed yesterday evening that a fee, believed to be in the region of £15m, had been agreed with the La Liga outfit for the Brazilian defender's services.

It had been suggested that a work permit could prove to be a stumbling block for the deal, with the 24-year-old yet to represent his country at senior international level.

However, the centre-back has now been cleared to continue his career in the Premier League.

It is believed that the transfer could be finalised as early as tonight.