Arsenal Transfer News: Luiz Adriano and Morgan Schneiderlin Fuel Rumours

Arsenal are ready "to grab" Luiz Adriano from Shakhtar Donetsk after the player provided a clear indication he is looking to leave Ukraine, while Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin has also suggested he will only stay if Champions League football is achieved.

Jamie Sanderson of Metro reports the Gunners have been "scouting Adriano for the last few months" while also "monitoring his recent contract stand off with Shakhtar."

The player hinted he isn't looking to extend his deal beyond its current expiration date of December, per Sanderson: "I am in a good moment of my career. With my contract set to expire and many good performances, it'll be difficult to stay in Ukraine."

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Adriano is currently the Champions League's top goalscorer this season, notching nine in seven performances for Shakhtar, per WhoScored.com. He sits one ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom are likely to move beyond his total in the final standings now Shakhtar have been eliminated from the competition.

Eight of Adriano's goals came in two matches against BATE Borisov, who finished with one win and a goal difference of minus-22 after six group-stage fixtures.

He is a crafty forward, but it's difficult to see how Arsene Wenger would fit him in, particularly with Olivier Giroud thriving ahead of Arsenal's creative midfield. The French boss already has stacked attacking options to work with, highlighted by B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and James McNicholas:

Wenger also has bigger concerns to address and should focus on finding a defensive midfielder. Schneiderlin was linked last summer and recently confirmed he is looking for Champions League football next season. L'Equipe (h/t Sky Sports) reported Schneiderlin's latest comments:

"

In August, I wanted to take a move but the club had lost too many players to agree to sell me. Since then I have had discussions with the leaders and I want to play at the highest level: it is important at 25 years old to finally know the Champions League.

Given that, late in the season, Southampton may qualify for the Champions League and I can stay, who knows. I have no desire to be in front of my TV on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"

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The Saints are six points below fourth-placed Manchester United with eight games remaining, so it's unlikely a stint in Europe's elite competition will arrive this season. Arsenal are a further point ahead of Ronald Koeman's side and are likely to finish third at the very least this campaign.

Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour recently told talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show that Wenger should sign Schneiderlin, per Nick Rostron-Pike:

"

Arsenal need to get Morgan Schneiderlin if he’s available in the summer. 

He would be perfect. He’s a little bit like Gilberto Silva when he was at Arsenal. He can sit back into the back four and, when it’s wide, he can be another centre half. That’s so good if you can do that. 

He’s so comfortable on the ball and someone like him would be a great addition.

"

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Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (h/t Joe Short of the Express) indicates Arsenal are among the clubs who could struggle to lure Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani now Atletico Madrid are interested. Short suggests Diego Simeone's decision to ink a contract extension will see the Spanish champions bid for the physical forward.

Wenger has made headline-grabbing signings twice in the last two summers—with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez joining the club—so he's more than prepared to spend well. The boss' quest for a combative, tempo-setting defensive midfielder should outweigh his other needs, so Schneiderlin's comments should be latched on with concrete interest.

Arsenal can offer him the European football he so desperately requires, and in return, the France international can plug a gap that has been left exposed for far too long.