As Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for a defensive midfielder (read Khedira, Schneiderlin, Bender and Carvalho), Arsene Wenger has sprung a bit of a surprise by reportedly going in for an attacking midfielder, a Brazilian who made waves last season with his goals and assists.
While Wenger has ruled out a move for a striker, the manager does have that quality in him wherein he finds it difficult to resist a good deal for a young, talented, technically gifted, exciting player.
The latest player of that mould to catch Wenger's eye is Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino, with the Arsenal manager reportedly putting in an offer for the 22-year-old, according to the Daily Express.
The Hoffenheim No.10 (which gives you a clue about his preferred playing position) was terrific for the Bundelsiga club last season, scoring 16 goals while also grabbing 11 assists, which brought the player to the attention of Liverpool and Chelsea a few months back.
However, the chance of a move to the English Premier League seemed to have been squashed when the attacker signed a new contract with Hoffenheim in March.
But that did not stop Italian giants Inter Milan from making a check on the Brazilian, by asking Hoffenheim over the player's ability for a transfer. Seeing Inter's move, Arsenal reportedly also made their interest known by offering £8 million for Firmino.
According to the report, though, the German club turned down the offer and it remains to be seen if Wenger returns with a fresh bid.
Firmino is a playmaker who is most comfortable in the second striker role, but with the ability to play on either wings as well. So, with Wenger having attacking midfielders of every possible ilk at his disposal, it does beg the question where the Brazilian might fit if signed.
Wenger, though, does have the penchant to convert wingers and attacking midfielders into central strikers, like he did with Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, and the manager was linked with a move for Julian Draxler last summer, and during the January transfer window, with the same plan in mind.
Firmino is considered as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, and if Wenger can make a deal which he considers to be a relative bargain, then nobody would bet against him bringing in another attacking star; especially considering the money that the likes of Marco Reus and Draxler will cost.
Brazilians have been rare at Arsenal of late, following the departures of Gilberto Silva and Edu, with the likes of Denilson and Andre Santos not exactly making an impression, while Wellington Silva has not been able to get a work permit.
That same issue might crop up for Firmino as well; so Wenger will be wary of spending too much money on the player. But, the Emirates will certainly light up at the possibility of a Brazilian weaving his magic every week in the Premier League.
