Arsenal + Chelsea Told To Pay £26m For Brazilian Midfielder

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal and Chelsea are linked with Luiz Gustavo.

Arsenal and Chelsea have been told they will have to pay the full £26m value of Luiz Gustavo’s buy-out clause if they want to buy the Brazilian midfielder this summer, according to reports today.

Gustavo has just come off the back of an excellent debut season with Wolfsburg following his move from Bayern Munich last summer and he’s taken that impressive form into the World Cup this summer.

The 26-year-old has started at the heart of midfield in both of Brazil’s opening two games fixtures has proved to be an effective defensive shield in front of the hosts defence.

It appears his form has led to interest from the Premier League with the Express claiming that Arsenal and Chelsea are keen on bringing him to England this summer, while Manchester United and Barcelona are also understood to be keeping an eye on his situation.

Arsenal were strongly linked with Gustavo last summer before missing out when he opted for Wolfsburg in order to guarantee himself regular first team football ahead of the World Cup, but it appears the north Londoners are ready to renew their interest with Arsene Wenger on the look-out for a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also understood to be looking to sign a defensive-minded midfielder to replace David Luiz – who’s joined PSG – and Gustavo would certainly offer the protection Mourinho likes to have in front of his back four.

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However, it looks like the London duo are going to have to dig deep as the newspaper suggests that Wolfsburg have made it clear they won’t sell for anything less than the midfielders £26m buy-out fee.

There is also the small matter of interest from Spanish giants Barcelona to deal with, and although the good news for the English suitors is that Gustavo has hinted he may be open to a move this summer, he name-checked Barca when speaking towards the end of last summer.

“It’s always good to have your name linked to Barcelona.

“This is the third time there has been interest from them.

“I have a long contract which includes a buyout fee, and if anyone wants to pay that, they can sign me.” Gustavo is quoted as saying by the Express

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will formalise their supposed interest in Gustavo, but if they do then Arsenal and Chelsea may find it difficult to persuade the midfielder to snub the Spaniard’s in favour of a move to England.