Arsenal have already added one exciting attacking footballer to their squad this summer. Could another one be on the way?
Alexis Sanchez is likely to revolutionise The Gunners forward line. With the former Barcelona star playing alongside the likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, Arsenal are going to have plenty of pace, technique and goal-scoring nous among their attacking options.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to add another player. What if one of Arsenal’s current options gets injured, or picks up a long-term ban. The Gunners will be back to the situation they were in last season, when they didn’t have enough pacey forwards available to support their free-flowing attacking football.
It’s not like there aren’t players out there. Take, for instance, Shakhtar Donetsk’s unsettled forward, Douglas Costa. Could he prove to be a good option for The Gunners?
The Metro notes that Costa is ‘unhappy’ with having to play his football in the Ukraine ‘given the political situation there’ and that he’s looking to earn a move elsewhere. His club aren’t happy, but surely they’d be prepared to entertain bids for the player, given the circumstances?
The aforementioned source also claims that Arsenal made a move for Costa back in 2011, when he was just 20-years-old. He’s obviously a long-term Arsenal target, but now looks like the right time for Arsene Wenger to swoop in. The Metro suggest that Arsenal have tabled a £15.8m bid for the Brazilian forward.
Douglas Costa would certainly have plenty to offer this Arsenal side. Last season he scored 7 goals and made 14 assists for Shakhtar. Whilst Ukrainian football isn’t all that competitive, that’s still a good return.
With his pace, technique and effectiveness in the final third, he’s sure to be a hit in the final third. If he were to move to Arsenal, he’d be more than just a squad player.
£15.8m is a decent sum of money, but it represents the player’s current market value. Let’s just hope that Arsene Wenger is able to wrap this one up.
What’s your take? Do Arsenal need another forward? Would Douglas Costa be a good option?
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