Arsenal ready bid for Brazil forward Douglas Costa

Arsenal are reportedly ready to make a £15.8 million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk play-maker Douglas Costa, according to reports in the Metro.

The 23 year old is looking for the exit door at the Donbass Arena after growing concerned about his safety in the Ukraine, with the eastern half of the country subject to fighting between government forces and pro-Russia rebel groups.

The report states that the Gunners are ready to test Shakhtar Donetsk’s resolve over the unsettled play-maker by making a £15.8 million bid. The Brazilian has asked for a transfer away and despite Shakhtar insisting he must return and no exit is on the cards, Arsenal are plotting a bid for the player.

It further suggests the North London club are hoping the bid will be enough to tempt the club into selling their Brazilian star. Shakhtar are known as tough negotiators but the Gunners would have the upper hand, with the player personally pushing for a transfer away.

Costa was one of six Brazilians who refused to leave France for Ukraine ahead of Shakhtar’s season opener last week, a tense stand-off which has not been eased by UEFA’S decision to move all of the team’s competitive clashes to Lviv or Kiev for the time being.

He is an attacking midfielder, who likes to play on the left of the three-pronged attack but he’s also capable of filling in on the right or through the middle. He loves to get into dangerous positions and isn’t afraid to shoot, proven by his six shots on target from six Champions League matches last season.

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He can carve opportunities, assist goals and score some as well – he created 10 chances in Europe’s elite competition last season. He is also a sublime dribbler and his only clear weakness, is probably his defensive work rate off the ball.

Although this sounds an interesting opportunity if the player is available, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Serge Gnabry already struggling for regular action it’s unlikely Wenger will sign Costa.

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