The completion of Arsenal's move for Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista rests on whether they can obtain a work permit for the Brazilian.

The Gunners are hoping to finalise an initial £6M deal with the Yellow Submarine, although Villarreal hope to keep the price closer to the €20M release clause in his contract.

Uncapped by his country, Arsenal will need to have prove that Gabriel is an exceptional talent.

British Home Office rules state that players from non-European Union countries can get a work permit if they have played in 75 per cent of their senior national team's matches in the past two years, while that national side must be ranked in FIFA's Top 70.

However, clubs can get special dispensation to sign a player through an appeals process by proving that he is an "exceptional talent".