Speculation suggestion Bitello may be on his way to Premier League giants Arsenal is coinciding with a run of poor form for the Gremio forward as even his own head coach joins in the criticism.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Goias was the seventh game in a row in which Bitello failed to either score a goal or provide an assist. Whether the forward’s barren run is the result of distraction-causing speculation regarding a potentially life-changing move to one of the biggest clubs in European football is anyone’s guess.
But with Arsenal reportedly growing in confidence as they look to fight off competition from Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and French giants Monaco, Bitello’s rather underwhelming recent displays are doing little to quell the concerns of those wondering why the Gunners are taking a punt on a late-blooming 23-year-old who was plying his trade in Brazil’s second tier only a few months ago.
Arsenal close in on Bitello
“I don’t like to single out individual players,” Gremio coach Renato Gaucho said before doing precisely the opposite in the aftermath of that Goias draw (UOL).
“When the team doesn’t do well, it’s everyone (who is at fault). Bitello hasn’t been playing how he knows how to. But it’s normal for every football player to have a dip in form.
“But he is an important player for us.”
Bitello, when on form, is one of the most exciting creative talents in Brazil. He formed an eye-catching partnership with the living legend that is Luis Suarez at Gremio, and it is worth pointing out that Arsenal’s pursuit of fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli raised eyebrows too back in 2019.
Edu Gaspar, the much-admired Arsenal director boasting a detailed knowledge of the Brazilian market, surely deserves the benefit of the doubt, with Bitello reportedly available for a bargain fee of £8.5 million.
‘What really excites Arsenal…’
“He’s been flying under the radar because he’s a bit of a late developer, and his club last year were in the second division,” South American expert Tim Vickery tells Sky Sports.
“What really excites Arsenal about this player is how well Bitello has dovetailed with Luis Suarez. You’ve got be clever to play with Suarez, and Bitello has been on a really good wavelength with him.
“He’s an attacking midfielder. Not particularly physical, he is slight of build. But he is versatile. He can play centrally, he can play wide, and he’s been playing quick little one-twos with Suarez,” Vickery adds.
“This, for Arsenal, would be a pretty small investment. Maybe something like £8 million. Gremio are looking to sell. They would be very, very pleased to sell. Edu has done it before with Martinelli and Marquinhos.
“I think Bitello would be very much a squad player. Interesting, but a squad player I think for Arsenal.”
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