Arsenal on alert as Shakhtar’s Brazilian duo prepare to depart
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Arsene Wenger is preparing for a very busy summer as he bids to overhaul his flailing Arsenal side, with two potential signings coming from Ukraine.
Shakhtar Donetsk pair Taison and Wellington Nem are both preparing to leave the club this summer, according to the folk at Italian site Calciomercato, with the Gunners at the front of the queue.
The Brazilians have both been with Shakhtar since 2013, but it appears the club are ready to cash in on the duo.
Taison was reportedly close to joining Chelsea, and the Blues are believed to be in the hunt for the 28-year-old, who would fit in anywhere across Arsenal’s attacking midfield trio.
Formerly of Metalist Kharkiv, Taison has produced stats this season which would delight Arsenal fans, serving up 15 assists for team-mates in addition to eight goals for himself this season.
The winger is valued by transfermarkt.co.uk at £11.25m, and with just a year to run on his contract, it seems likely Shakhtar will take the money and run this summer, having spent £11m on him three-and-a-half years ago.
At 24, Wellington is a few years behind his team-mate in terms of development after moving to Donetsk for £6m from his native Fluminense in 2013.
However the midfielder has hit a wall this year, making just six league appearances, and it looks increasingly like a move is on the cards.
Given a potential outlay of £2.6m for potential suitors by transfermarkt.co.uk, Shakhtar will be keen to recoup the £6m they spent three years ago.
The Gunners will need to some midfield additions, with defensive-minded Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini set to depart, while speculation remains over the future of wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
