Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Brazil's Ganso an Ideal Fit in Gunners' Midfield

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs on Santos star Ganso and will be tracking his progress during the Olympics.

Mirror Football’s John Cross reported the Gunners’ rumored interest, and he noted that the team’s long-time boss is mulling over a bid for the 22-year-old. 

While Ganso’s Santos teammate Neymar has been receiving the lion’s share of attention this summer because of rumored transfers, both players have the talent to flourish in Europe.

Ganso is a creative attacking player with sublime skill and a lethal shot. He occupies the traditional No. 10 role and is a magician with the ball and can create goals out of seemingly nonthreatening situations.

He had three assists in four games during the 2011 Copa America and showed off his attacking talents.

Arsenal could certainly use a player like this, regardless of whether or not they are able to hang on to Robin Van Persie.

The Gunners expected to have Jack Wilshere create from the center of the pitch, but a stress fracture in his ankle kept him out of competition for the entire season. If he is able to return healthy this next year, he will need time to get his fitness up to par.

Without Wilshere, the team has often used Aaron Ramsey as an attacking midfielder. Ramsey was not terrible with the Gunners, but Ganso would be a significant upgrade in the center and would allow Ramsey to play on the wing.

The Brazilian is an exciting talent who could be a star in the Arsenal midfield for many years.

Adding Ganso when the Gunners already have Wilshere and Ramsey would create an exciting trio of young, creative midfielders. This would give them depth and flexibility with their attacking options and would certainly improve their scoring output. 

A separate Mirror Football report claims that Santos will try and charge the fee set in Ganso’s buyout clause, which is rumored to be £45 million. This would be an absurd price to charge, even for a player this talented. ESPN reported earlier this year that the Brazilian club was willing to sell their midfielder to Inter or Milan for around €20 million.

If Wenger is able to get Ganso at a reasonable price, it will be a move that will benefit Arsenal’s attack this next season and for many more years in the future.