The agent of Gremio forward Bitello insists a potential £8 million move to Premier League giants Arsenal is anything but imminent despite reports to the contrary.
Just last week, Gremio’s vice president seemingly opened the door for Bitello to depart. The Brazilian outfit, he said, had received ‘numerous queriers’ for the talented 23-year-old. What’s more, their financial situation dictates that a ‘big sale’ will be required somewhere down the line.
But while numerous reports have suggested that Bitello is likely to be an Arsenal player by September 1st – 90Min reporting that the Gunners were confident of coming to an agreement – the player’s representative is keen to slam the brakes on those reports.
“The European interest in Bitello is evident, as he has been a standout player in Brazil for over a season,” Maickel Portela tells Globo Esporte.
“(But) there are currently no looming situations that divert your focus. He follows his work routine at the club. And our relationship with Gremio remains in harmony with the player’s future.”
Arsenal deal for Bitello is likely to take time
Bitello, then, may be one Arsenal continue to keep tabs on for the remainder of 2023, before potentially stepping up their interest in the New Year when the current Brazilian Serie A campaign is at an end.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu Gaspar was the driving force behind the signing of a teenage Gabriel Martinelli in 2019, and deserves the benefit of the doubt as he pursues another talented forward making waves back home in South America.
“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, highlighting Bitello’s intelligence and vision from hte right-hand flank, not to mention the excellent partnership he struck up with one Luis Suarez at Gremio.
“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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