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Could Palmeiras star Alanzinho be the answer to Arsenal’s problems?

By on September 16, 2019

Arsenal have long been linked with Alan Guimaraes with our interest spanning over two years so should Unai Emery and his team finally bring the Palmeiras attacker to the Emirates?

The Gunners hierarchy invested well during the recent summer transfer window with highly-rated forward Nicolas Pepe arriving from Lille while Scottish full-back Kieran Tierney should be an excellent addition in defence. William Saliba will join from Saint-Etienne next summer and there are high hopes the French centre-back could be the man to solve our long-standing issues in the back four.

Midfielder Dani Ceballos is already a fan favourite having joined from Real Madrid but the Spaniard is only here on loan and is expected to return to the Bernabeu next summer. With Mesut Ozil’s future at the Emirates still in serious doubt, Arsenal will need a creative attacking midfielder next season and Guimaraes could be the man for the job.

Arsenal have been linked with the Brazilian youth international for over two years with scouts reportedly making regular trips to South America to check on the 19-year-old playmaker. They’ll have been impressed with what they’ve seen as Guimaraes has developed into one of the top young talents in Brazilian football with Real Madrid joining Arsenal in showing a keen interest in luring him to Europe.

The teenager has struggled to establish himself as a regular with Palmeiras this year as they’ve started the campaign well and are among the favourites to win the Brazilian Serie A title but he’s still regarded as one of the brightest prospects in South America. Plus, a nasty toe injury suffered in a motorcycle accident on New Year’s Eve hampered his progress earlier this year.

However, Guimaraes is expected to have a huge future in the game and Palmeiras handed ‘Alanzinho’, as he’s better known, a new long-term contract just last year that runs until 2023. It also includes a buy out clause worth £44m so they clearly rate him and any deal won’t come cheap.

The Samba Star is your typical Brazilian attacking midfielder, full of flair and technical ability while his direct approach would help Arsenal connect the midfield to the forwards quicker – which has been an issue at times in recent years. Alanzinho is also a threat from set-plays and is known for his dribbling skills so I think he could be an excellent long-term addition to the squad.

The obvious concern is whether he’ll adapt to English football and he might initially struggle with the physical nature due to his small frame but if he was able to settle in the Premier League then he could be the man to unlock Arsenal’s world class strikers next season.