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Arsenal ‘Closing In’ On Brazilian – Reports

By mac14 on July 29, 2014

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign unsettled Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Douglas Costa.

The 23-year-old is one of six players who are currently hauled up in Switzerland and refusing to return to Shakhtar due to the on-going unrest with neighbours Russia, and it looks like we’re ready to take advantage of the situation and offer him an escape route.

The Independent are one of several newspapers who are reporting that Arsenal have stepped up their interest in the Brazilian ace and are set to table a formal offer for the attacking midfielder.

This news comes shortly after reports emerged last week suggesting that we were preparing a £16m bid, so it certainly looks like there could be some serious interest in the player.

The Independent also state that if we’re successful in landing Costa, Arsene Wenger will then send Joel Campbell out on loan to AC Milan to get some first team football under his belt.

Campbell is currently over in Austria with the rest of the squad and is hoping to make an impression on the boss to prove he’s got what it takes to make it at the Emirates. However, these reports suggest Arsene still isn’t convinced by the 22-year-old and will sacrifice him to make room for Costa.

I’d personally be a little disappointed if we don’t at least give Campbell a chance to impress in some pre-season games before taking a decision over his future, but I’d soon get over it if we sign Costa.

He’d be an excellent addition to the squad and is capable of playing anywhere in the attacking positions, including up front, so he’d give us plenty of options in the final third. Let’s see how things develop but I’d be delighted if we could lure Costa to north London…