Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners' Interest in Jadson Downright Baffling

Arsenal are in the market for a playmaking attacking midfielder, but if they think Jadson is the man for the job, they're kidding themselves. 

The Gunners recently lost star midfielder Cesc Fabregas, and could be well on their way to losing his likely replacement at the heart of the attack in Samir Nasri. 

With his starting midfield about to be in shambles, manager Arsene Wenger has been hunting for a new playmaker to facilitate the offense, and has settled on the 27-year-old Brazilian at Shaktar Donetsk. The Gunners had already had one bid rejected by the Ukrainian club, but that hasn't dampened Wenger's pursuit.

According to a Metro Sport report, the Gunners' most recent bid, believed to be in the range of £10 million, was accepted by Shaktar, giving the Gunners the playmaker they think they need. 

According to Shaktar coach Mircea Lucescu, as was reported in the Metro, the club has agreed to a deal with the Gunners, meaning all that remains is for Arsenal to agree to personal terms with the Brazilian. 

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'I can confirm Jadson is wanted by Arsenal,’ said Lucescu. ‘Now it all depends on him.’

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Even Jadson himself got in on the act, hinting that a big announcement would be on the way via Twitter.

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'My friends! If all goes well at the start of next week I will have news for you,' said Jadson on Thursday directly through his Twitter account. 

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But with a deal seemingly imminent, it doesn't make Wenger's infatuation with the Brazilian playmaker any less confusing to comprehend. Jadson doesn't make much sense for the Gunners on any level. 

That's not a knock on Jadson; the Brazilian has emerged as a potent playmaking midfielder in his time with Shaktar. He's got a spectacular nose for goal, scoring eight or more in each of the last four seasons with the club. He's a technically sound player, capable of creating chances even if he's not the flashiest or most talented player on the planet.

But since when does a 27-year-old midfielder who has played a grand total of four matches for his national team merit this kind of interest? His game is solid, but he's hardly a spectacular playmaker like either Nasri or Fabregas. He's hidden in Shaktar's system, in which Willian, Jadson, Luiz Adriano and Fernandinho are all expected to bring the thunder out of the midfield. At Arsenal, his solid but unspectacular game figures to make him a high-priced mistake. 

Even if he's the spectacular playmaker Wenger is looking for, isn't he a bit old for the Frenchman's style? Wenger prefers to find young, upside-laden talent, but at 27, Jadson isn't exactly a young, promising talent anymore. Sure, £10 million is a steal for a playmaking midfielder but there are much more talented options on the market. 

Everyone from Eden Hazard to Juan Mata is in Arsenal's price range after the Fabregas deal, and would be even more affordable after dealing Nasri. Why is Wenger so insistent that Jadson, who few would claim is on the same level as either Hazard or Mata, is the man they need in the middle?

It makes little sense for the Gunners; Jadson is too old, without enough upside to fit at Emirates. While he's shown a nose for goal, he's not the playmaker or facilitator in the midfield that Wenger is hoping for. 

The fact is, either Mata or Hazard (or even someone like Aaron Ramsey, who has played brilliantly in the absence of the Gunners' stars) would be a better fit for the Gunners than Jadson. 

Hopefully, fans can take heart in Wenger's downplaying of the Gunners' interest in the Brazilian at a press conference today. Jadson's the wrong fit for Arsenal, and they'd be wise to chase younger, more talented options if they're convinced they need another midfielder.