Gremio youngster Bitello has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners said to be ‘close’ to a Ԁєɑł.
Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Gremio midfielder Bitello.
The Gunners have already splashed in excess of £200million to bring Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice during the summer transfer window. But that doesn’t mean that rumours regarding additional incomings has stopped.
In fact, according to Italian outletTuttoMercatoWeb, the Gunners are close to completing a Ԁєɑł for Bitello this week in a move worth in the region of £6.8million. But who is the player and what kind of qualities would he bring to the Emirates Stadium if he were to join?football.londontakes a closer look below.
Who is Bitello?
Aged 23, Bitello is a talented attacking midfielder born in Formosa do Oeste, Brazil.
Bitello plied his τɾɑԀє with lower-league side Cascavel before joining Gremio’s academy at the age of 18 back in 2018.
Since then, he has made a name for himself in Brazil’s top-flight, establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects for the Porto Alegre-based outfit.
What would he bring to Arsenal?
Perhaps Bitello’s greatest strength is his versatility. Typically, he operates as an all-action No.8 in a midfield pivot or as a No.10.
But last season, he was also utilised as a false nine or right-winger on occasion. His ball-carrying is one of his greatest assets, frequently dribbling the ball up the pitch as a means of progression – making him extremely press resistant.
He will often drop his shoulder when an opposition defєɴԀer is pressing him, looking to knock it past the onrushing player and use his electric pace – part of the ɾєɑȿօɴ he was utilised on the wing last term. His movement into the box is another strength, often arriving late in the final third where he can use solid ball striking to his advantage.
The 23-year-old is still very raw but he possesses a lot of upside to his game. Despite being six feet tall, one clear weakness to his game is physicality, occasionally finding himself pushed off the ball due to his slєɴԀer frame.
This is something that would likely be even more exposed in the more physically demanding Premier League if he did complete a move to the Emirates Stadium.
What has been said?
The talented playmaker had been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco recently and the player himself confirmed that the French club had made an approach before admitting that he is happy with life at Gremio.
“It seems that an offer has arrived, apparently from Monaco, but I haven’t spoken to my coach about it yet,” he said, viaGFFN. “I have a contract here.
“I am happy and focused on Gremio. The upcoming championship is thrilling.”
