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.