12 July 2023 , 11:49
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Arsenal are making significant moves in the transfer market as they look to build on an impressive campaign under manager Mikel Arteta, with Brazilian midfielder Bitello now on their radar.
Having finished second in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League after a six-year absence, Arsenal have backed Arteta heavily this summer. The Gunners have forked out £65m to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea and are on the verge of also signing West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal have agreed basic terms over a record £105m deal for Rice, while a £45m fee has been agreed for Timber who was thrown a goodbye party earlier this week. And Bitello could be the next player through the door at the Emirates.
According to Radio Guaiba's Rafael Pfeiffer, Arsenal have sent representatives to Brazil to discuss a potential deal for the midfielder. Bitello has made 33 appearances in all competitions for Gremio this season and Arsenal's scouts are said to be set to watch him in action when they face Bahia in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday.
Gremio own 70 percent of Bitello's rights and are after €10m (£8.5m) to sell him, while the remaining 30 percent belongs to his former club FC Cascavel who compete in Serie D - Brazil's fourth tier.
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The 23-year-old has excelled in central midfield for Gremio this season, netting seven goals and providing four assists, but also has experience out wide. Arsenal will face competition for his signature though, with the player addressing rumours linking him with a switch to Ligue 1 side Monaco last month.
Gremio star Bitello is on Arsenal's radar (Richard Ducker/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)"It seems that an offer has arrived, apparently from Monaco, but I haven't spoken to my coach about it yet," he was quoted as saying by French outlet Foot Mercato. "I have a contract here. I am happy and focused on Gremio. The upcoming championship is thrilling."
While Arsenal are very active in bringing in new faces, they have also been busy offloading players as well. Defender Pablo Mari has joined Monza for around £6m, with his loan move made permanent after they avoided relegation from Serie A.
Former captain Granit Xhaka has also joined Bayer Leverkusen for £21.5m, while academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles has departed on a free after spending 20 years at Arsenal.