Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo Close to Making £14m Switch to Arsenal

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Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo Close to Making £14m Switch to Arsenal

By Kasey McLean | Aug 11, 2013

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According to both the Guardian and the Telegraph, Brazilian international and Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo is close to making the switch from the Champions Leauge champions to the Emirates.
Arsenal failed to replace Alex Song last year after the Cameroon international made the move from London to FC Barcelona, and Wenger believes Gustavo could be the man the Gunners need to help fill that holding role. Mikel Arteta was forced to play out of position last season, playing just in front of the back four throughout the year.
Though his performances were far from poor, Arteta found himself playing a position unnatural to him and struggled at times to adapt to a more defensive role than he was accustomed to. While at Everton, Arteta thrived in a more advanced role where his creativity and passing ability were used to cut open defenses.
Arsenal are yet to spend any money this summer, having only signed Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre on a free transfer at the beginning of the transfer window. Though Arsene Wenger has failed to buy, he has assured Arsenal's players and fans that he and the club are more than willing to spend if the player and price is right.
A move for Gustavo could fit that bill perfectly, as the Brazilian will find time on the pitch far harder to obtain with Bayern Munich's deep midfield only getting stronger. The addition of Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze has even seen Spanish international Javi Martinez pushed back into Bayern's back-line with Bastian Schweinsteiger playing just in front of the defense.
With the World Cup right around the corner, Gustavo will have the chance to play regularly at Arsenal and earn his spot in Brazil's World Cup squad. Arsenal are believed to value the player at £14m, which could be the perfect price to ensure Arsenal fill a position they desperately need to fill with a player that will be desperate to prove his worth before a World Cup in his home country.
If Gustavo does make the switch to the Emirates, Arsenal's midfield suddenly will become a lot more interesting with different options available to Wenger. Gustavo could pair with Jack Wilshere as Arsenal's two holding midfielders with Santi Cazorla sat just in front of them. Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, and even Tomas Rosicky would provide depth in midfield positions.