Luiz Gustavo "would like to play for Arsenal"

Luiz Gustavo

Arsenal have yet to spend their 70 million ‘war chest’ but until now no one has yet been signed apart from French striker Yaya Sanogo, who joined from Ligue 2 side Auxerre for free.

The latest news surrounding the transfer is that reportedly, Brazil and Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo has agreed a £14m move to Arsenal. Gustavo has been second fiddle to Javi Martinez in the starting XI, and he reportedly wants out from the German club as new signings have pushed him even down in the pecking order.

Amid speculation, Gustavo has come out and said that he would love to play for the Gunners.

The Guardian quoted him saying, “My contract with Bayern runs until 2015 but it is very important that I play first-team football to keep getting called up for Brazil. I am in a very delicate situation at Bayern, and this needs sorting out. I have personal and professional reasons to move,” he said on arrival in Basel for Brazil’s friendly against Switzerland. “I have heard about the Arsenal interest. It’s a big club we’re talking about here so of course I’d like to play for them.”

“Arsenal play a very attractive brand of football and are in the Champions League. They also have a very clever manager in Arsène Wenger. Even when Bayern beat them in the last Champions League [on aggregate] you could see they are not pushovers.”

Arsenal need a defensive recruitment in midfield with Mikel Arteta the only player in there. Gustavo would directly challenge the Spaniard if he joins Arsenal, and he would bring in depth at that position, being a natural defensive midfielder.