Sport nationDeal Close :” he is a genius” Ozil is happy that Arsenal are on the verge of signing player who plays like him
ARSENAL SCOUT STAR WHO LIKENED HIMSELF TO OZIL ON SUNDAY AND MUST
Premier League giants Arsenal are dipping their toes into the Brazilian market again with Gremio midfielder Bitello reportedly scouted by the Gunners during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Botafogo.
Joao Paulo de Souza Mares – or ‘Bitello’ as he is better known – is the latest in a long line of talented young Brazilians to emerge on Arsenal’s radar since the appointment of former Selecao star Edu Gaspar as the club’s technical director.
And while Arsenal have not succeeded in each and every pursuit – Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos arriving but the likes of Vitor Roque and Kaio Jorge reportedly slipping through Edu’s fingers – Bitello certainly seems to fall into the ‘attainable’ category.
He is affordable too.
edu Raphinha arsenal
Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images
Radio Guaiba, via Portal do Gremista, report that the 23-year-old should be available for a fee in excess of just £8.5 million. Monaco have already seen an approach rebuffed, but Arsenal may have the pulling power and the financial muscle required to win the race for a player who impressed alongside the legendary Luis Suarez at Gremio.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Gremio star Bitello
“If a very good offer arrives for Gremio and for the player, it is difficult to deny (him a move),” head coach Renato Gaucho says, via Antena dos no Futebol.
“In this scenario, who has more money screams louder. And Europe has the money. The incoming offers will be analysed.”
Gaucho adds that Gremio do not have pockets quite as deep as, say Fluminense or Athletico Paranaenese. As such, they may be powerless to prevent the departure of a player who started off as a central midfielder but has blossomed as a right-winger of late.
Bitello has seven goals and four assists this season.
As you might expect from a Brazilian forward, Bitello boasts fancy footwork, a turn of pace, and the elegance of a classically-trained ballerina. His pace and positivity have drawn comparisons with another Gremio graduate Douglas Costa (formerly of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Bayern Munich).
Bitello is, in some ways, rather atypical of the modern winger, in that he is a right-footer who prefers to play off the right rather than cutting in from the flank. He even half-jokingly likened himself to Mesut Ozil after the 1-1 Copa do Brazil draw with Bahia last week, setting up a 95th minute equaliser with a perfectly-weighted through ball reminiscent of the Arsenal number ten in his playmaking pomp.
“If it’s Ozil, he’s a genius,” the youngster chuckles on social media. “But with Bitello, (it) was ‘luck’!”
MORE: ‘Destination’: Player has decided to
ARSENAL SCOUT STAR WHO LIKENED HIMSELF TO OZIL ON SUNDAY AND MUST
Premier League giants Arsenal are dipping their toes into the Brazilian market again with Gremio midfielder Bitello reportedly scouted by the Gunners during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Botafogo.
Joao Paulo de Souza Mares – or ‘Bitello’ as he is better known – is the latest in a long line of talented young Brazilians to emerge on Arsenal’s radar since the appointment of former Selecao star Edu Gaspar as the club’s technical director.
And while Arsenal have not succeeded in each and every pursuit – Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos arriving but the likes of Vitor Roque and Kaio Jorge reportedly slipping through Edu’s fingers – Bitello certainly seems to fall into the ‘attainable’ category.
He is affordable too.
edu Raphinha arsenal
Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images
Radio Guaiba, via Portal do Gremista, report that the 23-year-old should be available for a fee in excess of just £8.5 million. Monaco have already seen an approach rebuffed, but Arsenal may have the pulling power and the financial muscle required to win the race for a player who impressed alongside the legendary Luis Suarez at Gremio.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Gremio star Bitello
“If a very good offer arrives for Gremio and for the player, it is difficult to deny (him a move),” head coach Renato Gaucho says, via Antena dos no Futebol.
“In this scenario, who has more money screams louder. And Europe has the money. The incoming offers will be analysed.”
Gaucho adds that Gremio do not have pockets quite as deep as, say Fluminense or Athletico Paranaenese. As such, they may be powerless to prevent the departure of a player who started off as a central midfielder but has blossomed as a right-winger of late.
Bitello has seven goals and four assists this season.
As you might expect from a Brazilian forward, Bitello boasts fancy footwork, a turn of pace, and the elegance of a classically-trained ballerina. His pace and positivity have drawn comparisons with another Gremio graduate Douglas Costa (formerly of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Bayern Munich).
Bitello is, in some ways, rather atypical of the modern winger, in that he is a right-footer who prefers to play off the right rather than cutting in from the flank. He even half-jokingly likened himself to Mesut Ozil after the 1-1 Copa do Brazil draw with Bahia last week, setting up a 95th minute equaliser with a perfectly-weighted through ball reminiscent of the Arsenal number ten in his playmaking pomp.
“If it’s Ozil, he’s a genius,” the youngster chuckles on social media. “But with Bitello, (it) was ‘luck’!”
MORE: ‘Destination’: Player has decided to
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Amina Umar
Sport Nation 2