Arsenal Close To Beating Manchester United To Brazilian Attacker

The summer transfer window is now well under way and managers are working hard to strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal are close to beating Manchester United to Douglas Costa.

Arsenal are working hard to secure a deal to sign Manchester United target Douglas Costa on an initial season-long loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, according to reports.

Costa is expected to leave Shakhtar this summer as he is one of six players who are refusing to go back to Ukraine for the new season due to the on-going unrest with neighbours Russia.

The 23-year-old announced on his Instagram page last month that he and his five team mates fear for the safety of their families and were staying in Switzerland to train until a resolution can be found.

The uncertainty over his future has led to interest from the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester United understood to be keen on offering him a fresh start in England.

However, it appears the Gunners are now set to beat their rivals to the Brazilian’s signature with the Metro one of several media outlets who are reporting that the North Londoners are close to securing a loan deal with a view to making the move permanent next summer.

The newspaper suggests that Arsene Wenger is still keen to bring in another attacker and has switched his focus to Costa after being quoted £32m by Porto for Colombian international Juan Quintero.

Rumours last week claimed that the 23-year-old was heading to London to complete a move to the Emirates, but those reports turned out to be wide of the mark and the Express suggest that although Arsenal were in talks over a potential deal for Quitero, they have now turned their attention to Costa after failing to agree terms with Porto.

It remains to be seen whether United will make a late bid to hijack the Gunners move for the versatile attacker, but for now it appears Wenger is in the driving seat to lure the talented Brazilian to the Premier League this summer.

Costa is predominantly an attacking midfielder who mostly operates from the right side, but he’s also capable of playing up front, so he’d offer Wenger plenty of options in attack next season.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

The Brazilian Under-20 international has been a key figure in the Shakhtar side that’s won five successive Ukraine Premier League titles since he joined the club from Gremio in January 2010, but it looks like his time in Ukraine could be over with a move to Arsenal very-much in the pipeline.