Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Brazilian playmaker Ganso.
Arsene Wenger is looking to add a creative attacking midfielder to his ranks, and has reportedly narrowed down on the Santos player. Ganso is part of the Brazil squad for the Olympics and, according to widespread reports in the British media, Wenger will send out scouts to watch the player in action.
Scouts are expected to witness Brazil's Olympic warm-up game against Great Britain at the Riverside stadium in Middlesbrough. Arsenal are weighing up a £15 million ($23.5m) move for the 22-year-old, as Wenger looks to end the club's seven-year drought without a major trophy.
Ganso's representatives have made it clear he won't play for Santos again; however, it remains to be seen how the youngster will adapt to the English Premier League. There is no doubt about the fact that a couple of years ago, the playmaker was considered one of the brightest talents in Brazil. It could even be argued, Ganso was right up there with club team-mate Neymar, when it came to talent and skill.
Ganso - full name Paulo Henrique Ganso -- was named the Copa Do Brasil's best player in 2010, after leading Santos to their first title in six years. He then went on to win the man-of-the-match award in the Copa Libertadores final, a year later. There is no doubting Ganso's skill. He is a typical Brazilian No 10, capable of finding the magic pass, as well as scoring from outside or inside the box.
The worrying thing, however, is the alarming fall that Ganso has taken over the past year or so. Injury problems have led to the playmaker losing confidence, while his technical abilities with the ball, under pressure, have also been brought into question.
Most teams today employ at least two defensive midfielders when facing the big teams. Ganso, has found it difficult to hold onto possession or find the right pass, against teams that play a high-pressing game. His decision-making and inexperienced, unfortunately, came into the fore during such situations, with the World Club Cup final match against Barcelona being the perfect example.
In that match, albeit against a much superior team, Ganso struggled much more than his more famous team-mate Neymar, but then it would be harsh to judge a youngster, playing against a big European team - arguably the best ever - in a big-match situation.
Wenger, of course is aware of all this. What the Frenchman will be keeping an eye on is how much the midfielder has recovered from the serious knee injuries he suffered over the past couple of years, because the talent cannot be doubted.
Arsenal have never had a Brazilian flair player in their ranks, with Gilberto Silva, Edu and Denilson, more in the defensive mould.
Bringing in a player with the infectious Samba flair, might just lift the doom-and-gloom that the Emirates has witnessed over the last few years.
