Arsenal are set to battle it out with Liverpool for Gremio forward Luan, after the 24-year-old’s proposed move to Spartak recently broke down.
The Brazilian forward has been impressing in Brazil, and was reportedly on the verge of joining Russian side Spartak Moscow. However, according to the BBC’s Tim Vickery, Brazilian media is claiming the deal broke down, leaving Arsenal and Liverpool to fight for his signature.
Brazilian media now saying Luan's move to Spartak has stalled, Liverpool and Arsenal ready to fight it out – lovely player, watching him now
— Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) August 9, 2017
Full name Luan Guilherme de Jesus Vieira, the Gremio star can play in multiple attacking positions, though has predominantly played as a second striker this season. He’s scored six times for Gremio this season and has 32 goals in 117 appearances overall.
If Arsenal are interested, they could have difficulty securing a work permit for the 24-year-old. Luan has just one cap for Brazil and would have to play 25% of Brazil’s games over a two-year period to qualify automatically for a permit.
Arsenal could also face competition from Liverpool, who are said to be monitoring the player. Without knowing much about Luan, you’d have to wonder if he has the quality to play for the Gunners or Liverpool if Spartak Moscow were the only club close to signing him.
He could be a player that needs to move to Europe first and prove himself there before getting a big switch to a giant outfit.