Arsenal could make a late transfer move for Brazilian midfielder Bitello on transfer deadline day, according to journalist Graeme Bailey on the Talking Transfers Podcast.
Arsenal have yet to agree to or even submit a deal for the player as of yet – but if they wish to make a deadline day splash, signing the Gremio star would be an excellent way to do it.
This season, while playing for Gremio, Bitello has four league goals to his name, alongside a single assist over the course of 19 appearances.
Arsenal had been interested in Bitello earlier in the window and were thought to have made an enquiry into his availability – however, at the time, Gremio asked for more money than the Gunners were willing to pay for him.
Speaking to the Talking Transfers Podcast, Bailey said: “The one [potential transfer] I would keep an eye on might be Bitello, the Gremio midfielder they did like a lot. In the end, Gremio were asking for too much money, [and it] didn’t happen. But given Edu’s relationship in Brazil, it wouldn’t surprise me if they came back to that.”
Who else, besides Arsenal, are interested in a transfer move for Bitello?
Currently, Arsenal are the only club who are explicitly linked with Bitello – with this being said, it is believed that they are not alone in their pursuit.
In an interview with Rede Sul back in July, Gremio president Alberto Guerra said: “There are a lot of people watching Bitello, but there is no proposal, even to reassure our fans, at the moment.”
Nevertheless, being the only named club in the race to acquire Bitello’s signature, it can be assumed that they are the favourites to complete a deal before the deadline.
Where would Bitello fit into the squad?
A natural central midfield player, Bitello can also function effectively as a number ten and on the right wing. However, he is most comfortable when deployed in the middle of the park.
At the age of 23, he is a senior player – as such, he would be added to the first team upon his arrival, rather than simply joining the developmental squads.
