Liverpool’s strong links with Gremio forward, Luan Vieira are understood to be false and this gives Arsenal a boost in their transfer pursuit. The 24-year-old had previously been targeted by Arsene Wenger before the opening of the January window and now that the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang trade is stalled over the transfer fee maybe Luan should be considered as a possible replacement.
Capped at international level for Brazil on two occasions, Luan is one of the best attacking threats in the Gremio lineup. He has appeared in 131 games for the Brazilian outfit registering 36 goals and 22 assists. The number nine is versatile in the final third and can appear in the shadow striker role as well as the traditional number nine position. He had quit professional football eight years back to make a career in futsal but later made a return to youth football through the Gremio academy.
Arsenal have just lost one their marquee players in Alexis Sanchez to their rivals Manchester United. Even though they have received Henrikh Mkhitaryan in return, Sanchez’s bag of skills will be hard to replace especially his incredible scoring record. Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival has given the side a well-deserved number nine, but the Frenchman is yet to hit the ground running having scored just 9 goals so far into the season.
Aubameyang would have brought around a different dynamic to the Gunners style of play including his consistent scoring ability which has seen him net 21 in 23 appearances this season. Luan might not be as talented as the Gabon international, but at just 24, he will have the opportunity to grow into the English game.
The North London club has faced a season of ups and downs which has placed the side in the 6th spot of the Premier League table, 5 points behind the top four. This is a cause for concern among the fans at the Emirates who are already fearing the exit of their German maestro Mesut Ozil by the end of the season. Jack Wilshere has returned to the lineup and has been the best player for the Gunners in recent weeks. His services also need to be tied down before the end of the season in order to secure the club’s near future.
The Europa league trophy will be one of the trophies Wenger is gunning for along with the EFL League Cup. They are hosting Chelsea for their second leg tie of the semi-final stage and will be eager to get one over their rivals now that most of their players have returned from injury.
