Should Arsenal pay this Brazilian’s ‘huge transfer fee’?

All the unrest in the Ukraine has caused a real issue for some of their domestic football league’s best players. With fears over their safety drawing genuine concern, there could be some top talent looking for a move away this summer.

This brings me to Douglas Costa, the talented Brazilian forward. Last week Costa updated his Instagram with a picture of the Shakhtar Donetsk badge. In the caption, he wrote:

“[Ukranian-based players] all run a deadly risk if we are in the region. I like the club, the people, the city, but I’m afraid. We want to stay at the club, but we must have risk-free working conditions.” (Source: The Guardian)

Instagram is a thoroughly modern way to attract other European club’s attention, isn’t it?

The truth is that Costa has noted that he’s not actively seeking a transfer, he’s just keen to work under safe conditions. It’s been suggested that he and a few a team-mates could train in Switzerland, which could prove to be a good solution.

But it’s not exactly ideal is it? I would be surprised if Shakhtar Donetsk were willing to sell just to rid themselves of the headache.

According to The Mirror, The Gunners have entered the race for the Brazilian forward. Could Arsene Wenger offer Costa the escape route he seems to need?

Tottenham and AC Milan are also thought to be interested, so they won’t have a clear run at the player. Having said that, they probably provide the best option out of those three clubs.

The Mirror note that Costa’s contract runs until 2018 and that he would command a ‘huge transfer fee’. Arsenal should have cash to compete, but given that they’ve just signed Alexis Sanchez, I’m not sure that they will.

Still, there’s little doubt that Costa would add pace, power and technique to The Gunners forward line-up. He’s a tricky character with the ability and drive to unlock highly organised defenses. I can’t help but feel that he’d be an excellent option.

We’ll just have to wait and see how this one plays out.

What’s your take? Should The Gunners offer Douglas Costa an escape route?

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