• Premier League

Andre Santos set to join Gremio

ESPN staff
February 10, 2013
Andre Santos appears set to join Gremio © Getty Images
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Arsenal defender Andre Santos looks set to complete his move to Gremio after he was photographed arriving in his homeland of Brazil.

Santos, 29, arrived at the Emirates from Fenerbahce for £6.8million in August 2011.

However, the Brazil international has struggled to win down a first-team place during his time at the club, and the deadline-day arrival of Nacho Monreal has left him surplus to requirements.

There has not been any official confirmation on the proposed move from the north London club yet, but a picture of Santos being greeted by fans upon his arrival in Brazil has been posted on Twitter.

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has also shed light on the move, wishing the former Corinthians man good luck for the next chapter of his career on his Twitter account.

Podolski said: "@Andre_santos27 We will miss you man, I wish u all the very best £Gunner God bless you.''

Gremio have turned to Santos to solve their ongoing left-back problem, after failing in their attempts to sign Sporting Lisbon's Emiliano Insua, who decided to join Atletico Madrid instead.

"Andre Santos is one of our interests. We talked with Arsenal, but there is nothing certain. It is a very difficult negotiation," club president Fabio Koff told Zero Hora recently.

It remains to be confirmed whether the transfer will be permanent or a loan deal.

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