Arsenal Close In On A Deal For Brazilian Striker Diogo

Arsenal are currently locked in talks with São Paulo side Portuguesa, in a bid to thrash out a deal for Brazil under-20 international striker Diogo Luis Santo, with a view to loaning him to Spanish link club UD Salamanca.

Rated as one of the brightest prospect in South-American football, the 20 year old has been on Arsenal’s radar for the past two years, and we have already had offers turned down for his services according to Portuguesa president Manuel da Lupa:

‘Arsenal have come twice to talk about him, but they never wanted to pay what Diogo is really worth. In 2006 they wanted to take him to England to [get to] know Arsenal and see if he would adapt to the country. I told them they needed to sign a pre-agreement worth five million reais [£1.5m], but they wouldn’t do it.”

But Lupa confirmed it was not the only approach for him by the Gunners, who rate him very highly after an impressive 18 goals in his first season:

“They came back again last year after he began playing regularly for our first team, but obviously he was more expensive. We want Diogo to play in the Brazilian league until the end of the year, reach the national team and increase his value.”

Lupa also said that Diogo is a better and bigger prospect than AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato, who cost the Italian outfit £17million last summer, so at a fee of around £3-5 million Diogo Luis Santo looks an absolute bargain.

At 182cm, he is not only a skillful intelligent forward, but also lethal in the air, and is expected to partner Pato at the forthcoming Olympic football tournament to be held this summer, where Arsenal hope a deal will be reached before the kick off.

The forwards representative, Rodrigo Righetti, admits the player wants to play for Arsenal, but must be patient on the out come of the latest batch of transfer talks:

‘Diogo would love to play for Arsenal. But for now, he must wait for an offer that suits both the club and himself.’

Due to passport rules it is unlikley, should a deal be reached, him being able to play for is straight away, even if we apply for an ‘exceptional talent’ visa, so a loan to Spanish link club UD Salamanca looks the best option, following in the footsteps of Carlos Vela, and Pedro Bothelo.

Quotes From Here

Article By – J.Sanderson

33 thoughts on “Arsenal Close In On A Deal For Brazilian Striker Diogo

  • March 16, 2008 at 2:07 pm
    Permalink

    This target looks very likely.

    The fact that we’ve scouted him for 2 years already makes it more credible. Adding to the fact that his age is Wenger’s favourite one, Diogo might be the one to join the Arsenal.

    We need more good players to add to our quality in order to improve furthermore. If he comes, I’m very excited. :D

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 2:19 pm
    Permalink

    Good points Kevline, he is already a first team player for Portuguesa so i would expect him to be first team should he come here.

    Sounds good, i think everybody is a little sick of teenagers.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:12 pm
    Permalink

    How do they decide weather to grant the ‘exceptional talent’ visa??? Is it based on apperarences or what??

    I think Song had one when he first joined.. not sure? So if Song can get it im sure this guy can… especially with him already playing 1st team football

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:30 pm
    Permalink

    Isn’t Song also french? Our Denilson got a ‘exceptional talent’, but not Ronaldinho, Vela etc., so it’s strange.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:32 pm
    Permalink

    Foolish wenger will not buy him, now that the player has been revealed, Spurs, Man U, Man C, LP, are going for him soon, what wenger is good at is to scout for others , and all quality players scouted by him end up to his oponents. So do’t be surprised if he ends up at Spurs, Man U THE WAY THE TEVEZ, C RONALDO did after being the first to know them.

    Am sure he will stick with that little brain ADEBAYOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW ANY THING BUT TO RUN RUN RUN, no ball control etc. My advice is to wenger, please dont think ADE will ever be a quality, sell him and bring this guy straight into the ream, or buy ETO.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:40 pm
    Permalink

    José, Song is from Cameroon.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:48 pm
    Permalink

    Another youngster whos gonna be loaned out somewhere next year if we get him
    and this helps us win the league how?……………..
    gd post JS

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 3:58 pm
    Permalink

    GunnerRashidinho//

    Yes, I know, that’s why I wrote also. Belive he has a french passport aswell.

    Diogo is pure qualite. Too good for the brazilian league, that’s for sure. To good for Salamnca aswell, I think. Osasuna maybe?

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm
    Permalink

    He scored 18 goals in the 2nd division NOT the first.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 5:18 pm
    Permalink

    We won’t get him. I agree with the dude who said that now the whole world knows that Arsenal are scouting him – someone else will snap him up! Wenger is too much of a cheapskate to buy this guy. Ps Adebayor is pants.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 6:02 pm
    Permalink

    FAO Farrukh… He can be annoying I agree BUT he just needs to improve consistency

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 6:31 pm
    Permalink

    Not always true, news got about Diarra, Sagna, Reyes before deals were done, and he still went in for them.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 7:25 pm
    Permalink

    Well done all those slating Adebayor after his crappy performance against Boro. He’s only scored 23 league goals this season and 19 in the league and it is simply unaccetable that he didn’t score at least 7 against Boro. I completely agree with ‘karach’ – sell Adebayor for £3.50 to Accrington Stanley and bring this 18 year old Brazilian second divison player in!

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 8:44 pm
    Permalink

    Maybe this is the player who was shown around the Emirates and not Denthino.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 10:38 pm
    Permalink

    J.Sanderson, same with Van Persie!
    If he really wants them, he will snap them up simple as that.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2008 at 10:46 pm
    Permalink

    yeah think wenger will get him but he needs to qualifer for a european passport thats why he has to go to spain.When ronaldinho went psg he had to go there to get visa.Adebayor will be back on form again he needs his team mates creating chances for him again

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 12:55 am
    Permalink

    I’m brazilian and I can say that if he is not better than Pato,he is in the same level.
    It would be great if Wenger sign him!

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 12:18 pm
    Permalink

    pls, sign this boy and sell adebayor b/cos we need quality players to win any kind of trophy.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 4:19 pm
    Permalink

    if it were’t for adebayor we wouldt b fighting for the title so your comments are stupid! adebayor will be back on form again

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 9:08 pm
    Permalink

    Form is temporary. Class is permanent.

    Franny Jeffers = 18 goals for Everton and look how he turned out.

    Sorry but his tactics of having his back to goal and running towards the half way line to pull centre backs out of position doesn’t work anymore as the defenders are clever enough to realise they just need to stay where they are.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 10:37 pm
    Permalink

    franny jeffers was crap from day so thats a weak likeness wid ade every striker goes through a dip in form.Its how you come out of it makes you class

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 11:12 pm
    Permalink

    Plwase sign this gut and make it possible for him to start playing in the first team instead of going on loan.We need him now.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2008 at 11:16 pm
    Permalink

    I also think we should sell Adebayor.The guy is not the finisher we want.We need a pacy striker who has his goal scoring sense on all th e time.Arsene should not consider that he scores at times.If he doesn’t scote the goals we need at all time.It is really bad for us.Just like our last four outings.

    Please does any one know that truth on Yoan Gouffran and Meriem Pjanic.Did we truly sign them?

    Reply
  • March 18, 2008 at 3:27 am
    Permalink

    adebayor is shit, diogo is shit

    lets buy somebody who is proven !!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  • March 18, 2008 at 7:14 pm
    Permalink

    wenger will never spend any money on anyone half decent and will never buy anyone proven to be good consistantly

    Reply
  • Pingback: Race Hots Up For Portuguesa Striker Diogo Luis Santo « [» Young Guns ! «]

  • August 11, 2008 at 2:38 pm
    Permalink

    He is coming to Olympiakos guys.. Nice try…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *