Bitello is on the verge of joining Arsenal this summer.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, despite interest from Serie A, Bitello looks set to join Arsenal in the Premier League. Gremio originally wanted €10 million for the midfielder, but the Gunners have apparently struck a deal for €8 million – equivalent to around £7 million.
Such a fee would be similar to the £6 million Arsenal paid to prise Gabriel Martinelli away from Brazilian domestic football in 2019. If Bitello can hit anything like Martinelli’s heights, then this deal will go down as an incredible bargain for the north London club. Edu will be due plenty of credit.
It probably isn’t a surprise that Edu has taken a shine to Bitello. The 23-year-old shares many of the qualities that the Arsenal sporting director displayed when he featured in the middle of the park for the Gunners. Bitello is physically imposing, has great stamina, can see a pass and break up attacks, and has an eye for goal.
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Bitello has racked up 18 goals in senior football already in his career, in just 92 appearances. He has the kind of versatility that Mikel Arteta values highly, and looks set to be a cost-effective addition to Arsenal’s new look midfield. Despite the arrivals of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, Arteta will still want greater depth in the middle of the park with Granit Xhaka having moved on.
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Bitello is unlikely to become a regular starter on arrival, but after taking some time to settle in he could become the latest Brazilian to flourish at the Emirates Stadium. The likes of Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Marquinhos have all made north London home.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Bitello, who has never played beyond the borders of Brazil before, can acclimatise to English football should this deal get done.