Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo looks certain to leave after host club Bayern confirmed he had received offers from across Europe, and the man himself flirted with the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger is said to value the Brazil international at around £14million in an attempt to provide back-up for Mikel Arteta, however the German and European champions are reportedly clinging on for a £17million bid.

Time to buy

Gustavo, who has 10 international appearances for Brazil under his belt – including the 2013 Confederations Cup final – publicly stated his admiration of English football and Arsenal in particular:

"The EPL is a big competition. Arsenal have a lot of tradition. I need to go to a place where I'll play." Announced the 26-year-old before the Samba Kings game with Switzerland on Wednesday.

Benched

Gustavo has played 100 times in Munich Red and was part of the side which beat Borussia Dortmund to both the Bundesliga title and the Champions League crown last year. However, with Pep Guardiola bringing in midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze for big money during the summer, Gustavo’s importance to the side looks to be a shadow of what it was.

With Arsenal’s lack of cover in defensive midfield, the capture of Gustavo would fulfil his wanting for a regular first-team place, however the gap between the Gunners’ initial bid and Bayern’s valuation could prove to be a stumbling block.

The extra £3million Bayern are demanding on top of Arsenal’s valuation of £14million could be a step too far for the man who sat out Munich’s first game of the season on Friday.

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