Manchester United are reportedly planning to swoop for Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista and scupper Arsenal's attempts to sign the player.

Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is willing to match any offer the Gunners make for the uncapped Brazilian, according to the Daily Star.

Paulista is rated at around £16m, and recent reports suggest that United will have to move quickly to stand any chance of hijacking Arsenal's efforts to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Gunner manager Arsene Wenger recently claimed that his negotiations with Villarreal are "progressing well".