Gabriel joined Atletico on a free transfer in January, following a contract termination with Valencia. However, he struggled to secure a regular place in Diego Simeone‘s side, making only five appearances due to recurring injuries.
Despite his limited game time, Gabriel expressed his fondness for Valencia in a recent interview, stating that he and his family would be happy to return to the club. However, it seems that a move back to Spain is not on the cards, as Besiktas have reportedly secured his signature.
Gabriel‘s time at Arsenal, from 2015 to 2017, was marked by both promising performances and occasional lapses in judgement. He struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-team regular and was eventually sold to Valencia in 2017.
The Brazilian defender enjoyed a successful spell at Valencia, becoming a key figure in the team and even captaining the side at times. However, his departure from the club was marred by controversy, as he was excluded from the squad after 19 appearances, preventing him from triggering an automatic contract renewal clause.
Gabriel‘s move to Besiktas marks a new chapter in his career, as he ventures outside the top five European leagues for the first time. It remains to be seen whether he can rediscover his form and establish himself as a key player for the Turkish giants.
