Arsenal are reportedly set to seal their second signing of the current transfer window, with a €40 million deal agreed with Gremio for Everton Soares.
According to Fox Sports Brazil, Arsenal have stolen a march on other suitors to land highly-rated Brazilian international Everton Soares. The Gremio attacker is set to undergo a medical before completing his move to Europe, in particular, the Premier League.
The move is likely to set back Arsenal a potential total of €40 million. According to journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, Arsenal are scheduled to pay €28 million upfront for Everton, with the rest of the money depending on bonuses and add-on clauses being activated.
Arsenal agreed fee in principal with Gremio for Everton €28m rising up to €40m depending on performance. Pay structure not yet finalised. Player keen on 4 year contract. #afc #Transfers
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) July 15, 2019
While there is no definitive contract agreement between Everton and Arsenal, Giulianelli has speculated that the 23-year-old is keen on a four-year deal.
Arsenal have been long searching for a natural wide attacker to add to their squad before the 2019-20 season begins. The Gunners have no natural options out wide and have seen Unai Emery deploy the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alex Iwobi and more in the position.
There were talks of Wilfried Zaha being the primary target, while rumours regarding Yannick Carrasco, Nicolas Pepe and David Neres were afloat as well. But, Arsenal have been priced out of each of those moves, leading them to pursue a move for the Gremio attacker.
Everton Soares is having a blinder of a 2019. His statistics for Gremio make for exemplary reading, having bagged 6 goals and an assist in 13 games in all competitions so far this season. The 23-year-old was also one of the stars of Brazil’s triumphant Copa America 2019 campaign, with the Arsenal target ending the competition with 3 goals and 2 assists to his name, featuring in every single game.
It is this form that started drawing attention of Europe’s bigwigs. But, Arsenal seem to have stolen a march. €40 million for a 23-year-old who is just starting to peak is a bargain in the current market. Should the Gunners be able to complete this deal, Everton will be the second signing and the second Brazilian to be added to the first-team squad this summer; Gabriel Martinelli being the first.
Unai Emery had confirmed of there being numerous signings on their way to Arsenal, with Kieran Tierney also tipped to be close to sealing a move to the club, with Arsenal and Celtic not in agreement as to the structure of the Gunners’ bid for the Scottish international.
Only time will tell whether Everton Soares will arrive at all at the club or whether the Gremio attacker will be the first of many to come. But, landing the Brazilian international alone should be a brilliant coup for Arsenal.
