VILLARREAL, Spain - Villarreal says it has reached the framework of a transfer deal to send Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista to Arsenal.

The Spanish club also says it will receive forward Joel Campbell on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.

It says on its club website: "With a few details still to decide for the contract that will be formalized on Monday, Villarreal and Arsenal have reached a deal to transfer Brazilian defender Gabriel Armando de Abreu."

The 24-year-old centre back played 50 matches in a season and a half for Villarreal.

Arsenal has been caught short defensively this season because of injuries, and Paulista will provide cover - and competition - for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, the only genuine centre backs in the squad.