Arsenal Transfer News: Santos Set to Leave the Gunners as Gremio Confirm Interest

Feb 08, 2013 10:42 PM EST
Shaun Wright-Phillips & Andre Santos
QPR midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips challenges Arsenal's Andre Santos for the ball during their English Premier League game, October 27, 2012"

 

Arsenal flop Andre Santos could be on his way from the Emirates, with Brazilian club Gremio revealing they are in talks over a possible move for the defender.

Santos has had a horrid season for Arsenal, making one mistake after another, and posing a problem to the team's defense, which is already rather suspect.

The Brazilian international is now third choice at left-back - when Kieran Gibbs returns from injury - after Arsene Wenger quickly went in and signed Nacho Monreal from Malaga on transfer deadline day.

Apart from the poor performances, Santos courted further controversy when he asked Robin Van Persie, who left the Gunners in acrimonious circumstances, for his shirt at halftime.

It has basically been one problem after another for the former Fenerbahce man since his arrival in the English Premier League, and all would have been forgiven had he shown quality with his performances - which was certainly not the case.

Gremio president Fabio Koff admitted his club's interest in the 29-year-old, with reports in Brazil suggesting the club are looking for a loan move until December.

Koff has until Sunday to sign players, and he is hopeful a deal can be reached by then.

"Andre Santos depends on being released by his club," Koff told Radio Guaiba.

"It's a negotiation that advanced, then moved backwards. Let's say we are interested and we had this well underway in advance.

"If the Libertadores deadline comes, we will not be interested anymore. But now the time to register players is finishing, we have set a deadline to close the deal. Let's wait."

The only concern for Wenger will be the UEFA Champions League last-16 game against Bayern Munich later this month; with Monreal cup-tied and Gibbs injured, Santos might be needed.

The manager does have the option of using Thomas Vermaelen at left-back, while some would argue giving youngster Jernade Meade a chance would be the better choice rather than taking a risk with Santos against a dangerous and powerful side like Bayern.

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