Arsenal transfer news: Gunners preparing bid for wantaway Shakhtar Donestk midfielder Douglas Costa

Gunners could allow Joel Campbell to leave without playing for the club as reports claim Arsene Wenger wants to sign the 23-year-old Brazilian

Jack de Menezes

Tuesday 29 July 2014 15:07 BST

Douglas Costa (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal are believed to be strengthening their interest in Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Douglas Costa as the Brazilian continues to push for a move away from the Ukrainian club.

23-year-old Costa is one of six Brazilians who have refused to return to the club following the off-season due to the continuing political issues between Ukraine and Russia, which appears to have led to the tragic plane crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that killed 298 people when it was thought to have been shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

With the South American contingent currently unwilling to return to Shakhtar – Donetsk is currently held by pro-Russian rebels and is just 38 miles from the crash site – the Ukrainian league champions could be forced to sell sooner rather than later.

That is said to have alerted Arsene Wenger, with reports from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claiming that the FA Cup champions are preparing to make a move for the Brazil Under-20’s star.

Any successful move for Costa could see current striker Joel Campbell join AC Milan even though he is yet to make his debut for the Gunners.

Campbell enjoyed a hugely successful World Cup with Costa Rica as they progressed from Group D along with Uruguay, knocking out Italy and England in the process. The tournament in Brazil culminated a wonderful 12 months for Campbell that saw him rise to form with Olympiakos last season in both the Greek Superleague and the Champions League.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

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1/14Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Sami Khedira

The World Cup winner looks to be heading to the Emirates if the reports are to be believed, as the Real Madrid midfielder looks set for a £26m switch to the Gunners. Having turned down a new contract and just a year remaining on his current deal, Khedira could soon be Arsenal's latest big-name signing.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Douglas Costa

Costa is one of six Brazilian players refusing to return to Shaktar Donetsk due to the increasing political unrest in Ukraine. Arsene Wenger is reported to be interested in the 23-year-old, with the Gunners reported to be preparing a move for the attacking midfielder.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Morgan Schneiderlin

Schneiderlin is a transfer target for the Gunners' fierce rivals Tottenham, but Arsenal are reported to have held talks with the 25-year-old Frenchman over a move that would see him snub Spurs. The midfielder would fill the defensive role that Arsenal are currently lacking.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

John Ruddy

The Norwich goalkeeper would be a shock signing for Arsenal, but rumours have linked the England stopper with a move. Arsenal do need another goalkeeper to replace Lukasz Fabianski, but it is worth noting that Ruddy was part of a side that were relegated last season and conceded the third highest number of goals. The arrival of David Ospina has made it even less likely.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Iker Casillas

Another goalkeeper linked with Arsenal this summer is Real Madrid stopper Casillas. He's not been the favourite at the Bernabeu for a couple of seasons now and his disastrous World Cup has led to speculation he could move on. Again, the arrival of Ospina makes Arsenal's need for him not so desperate, but Wenger may not want to pass up the chance to sign such an experienced keeper.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Michy Batshuayi

The Standard Liege star has already stated that he expects to leave at the end of the season, preferring to move to either England or Germany and recently admitting that Arsenal are his favourite team. The 20-year-old striker is the top scorer in the Belgian league this season. Batshuayi can also operate on the wing and has been linked with Everton and Napoli. Arsenal are said to be willing to pay his release clause, which is understood to be £6.5m.

Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Javi Martinez

Arsenal are believed to be one of a number of clubs looking at Bayern Munich defender/midfielder Martinez should he become available in the summer. He would not come cheaply though, given the Bavarian club activated his €40m release fee to sign him in 2012.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Julian Draxler

A move during the January transfer window failed to materialise over Draxler's £37m release clause with Arsenal unwilling to pay the hefty fee, according to Schalke's sporting director. The German international was also said to be a target for Bayern Munich in case Toni Kroos failed to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga champions. However, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out a summer move for the highly-rated 20-year-old. Arsenal will have to change their stance over the transfer fee to acquire the attacker with several big clubs interested.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Juanfran

With Bacary Sagna confirming he will leave at the end of the season, Arsenal look short in the right-back department. A reported £9m move for Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran was rejected, but the Gunners could return for his services should they up their bid.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Josip Drmic

Arsenal have been linked with the Nurnberg striker recently after Lothar Matthaus claimed on Sky Germany that the Gunners had already signed the 21-year-old. Wenger is said to be keen to bring in the Swiss striker before the World Cup this summer. Drmic is a wanted man after scoring 16 goals in the Bundesliga this season despite his club battling against relegation. Drmic, who has three-years left on his current deal, is reported to have a release clause of less than £5m. Only Bayern Munich star Mario Mandzukic, Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski and Hertha Berlin striker Adrian Ramos have scored more league goals than Drmic this season.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Sebastian Jung

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Jung has been monitored by Arsenal this season. The 23-year-old has been one of their best players this season as the Bundesliga side recovered from a bad start to move clear of the relegation battle once they were eliminated from the Europa League. The German could be available for a fee in the region of £2m but the Gunners may face competition from Wolfsburg.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Atsuto Uchida

Uchida will travel to Brazil for the World Cup as part of Japan's national team, but the Schalke defender could see himself become the subject of interest from Arsenal as they seek a replacement for Bacary Sagna.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Salomon Kalou

The former Chelsea forward, currently at Lille in France, is interested in a return to the Premier League. To the dismay of Arsenal fans the Ivory Coast international has been linked once again to a move to the Emirates. Kalou could be available for a fee in the region of £2.5m this summer despite still having two years remaining on his current deal at the Ligue 1 side.

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Arsenal transfer talk: Potential summer targets

Juan Quintero

Having impressed at the World Cup, Quintero could be on the move just 12 months after joining Porto. Arsenal have been linked with a £15.8m bid for the Colombia midfielder who impressed at the World Cup.

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However, despite joining up with the Arsenal squad today for the pre-season training camp in Austria, the Metro reports that Wenger remains unconvinced by Campbell over whether he can succeed in the Premier League.

It is also claimed that Milan have already held talks with the Gunners over a move for the 22-year-old, but while a permanent move would be the preference for the struggling Italian side that lost 5-1 to Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, a loan move appears to be the more likely option.

The move would see Wenger continue with his recruitment drive in what has been one of his busiest summer transfer windows for some time, having already signed former Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez in a £35m deal.

Wenger has also added right-backs Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers for a combined total of £28m, and goalkeeper David Ospina from Nice for £3.2m.

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