Arsenal have reportedly been told to cough up €20 million to sign Shakhtar Donetsk right-back Dodo in the summer transfer window.
According to 90 min, Premier League giants Arsenal will need to fork out €20 million to land the services of Shakhtar Donetsk full-back Dodo in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old Brazilian defender joined the Ukrainian club from Brazilian side Coritiba in 2016 and has since been a revelation at right-back. He has proven to be an inspiring presence going forward, scoring five times and assisting 17 goals in just 97 appearances.
Arsenal have punched above their weight this season and are, at this moment in time, well on course to finish in the top four. Securing a Champions League spot will undoubtedly boost the Gunners, giving their summer transfer plans a shot in the arm.
While the north Londoners continue to do well, some chinks in the armour still need to be addressed. One of them happens to be Arsenal’s right-back slot.
Hector Bellerin is not the player he once was and is currently on loan at Real Betis. With just a year to go on his deal at the Emirates, it will not come as a surprise if he has played his last game for Arsenal. While Arteta did sign the impressive Takehiro Tomiyasu last summer, injuries have largely limited his impact.
Kieran Tierney has the left-back spot locked in, and given the role that full-backs play in today’s game, Arsenal will do well to add Dodo to their roster. However, their task will not be easy, with Bayern Munich and Bournemouth also interested in the Brazilian right-back.
Shakhtar are open to selling their players owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This could speed up matters for Arsenal if they cough up the €20 million asking price. If he does live up to expectations, it will be money well spent by the Gunners. But Arsenal have alternatives in mind, too, with Djed Spence also on their radar.
Having brought in Kieran Tierney and, more recently, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Aaron Ramsdale, the Gunners appear to be on course to restructure their backline completely. Adding Dodo into the mix will give them another excellent young two-way player who could gel well with the youthful squad being put together by Arsenal at the Emirates.