Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dodo as they attempt to find a replacement for Hector Bellerin. The Spanish right-back has been out on loan this season with Real Betis and appears unlikely to return to the Emirates Stadium next term.
football.london understands that Arsenal are set to open talks with the La Liga outfit regarding the permanent transfer of the academy graduate, with just a year remaining on his current Gunners deal. Should an agreement be found between the two clubs, then that would see Bellerin bring to an end his 11-year association with Arsenal having arrived from Barcelona in 2011.
Any permanent deal would leave Edu with a significant choice to make over the right-back berth at the Emirates Stadium. Takehiro Tomiyasu was only signed last summer and despite appearing to be Mikel Arteta ’s first-choice, has been hit with a multitude of injury problems.
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Portuguese international Cedric Soares has deputised admirably in his absence but is now on the wrong side of 30 so appears unlikely to be a long-term Bellerin replacement in north London. That could well explain why Arsenal are casting their net slightly further afar in order to find defensive recruits.
According to UOL in Brazil, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in making a move for Shakhtar Donetsk right-back Dodo. It is explained that the north London side have ‘constantly sought after’ the 23-year-old, with Bayern Munich and Bournemouth also mentioned.
A transfer could well be on the cards, too. Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar have been open to let their players depart following Russia’s invasion of the nation. A few have even sealed moves elsewhere - Tete’s switch to Lyon being the most recent example.
That could well be the case for Dodo in the future, although it is suggested that his current employers could be set to demand up to €20m (£16.8m) to even open up discussions. Having arrived from Coritiba in 2018, the young defender has gone on to make 97 appearances for Shakhtar since.
He has developed a reputation as an extremely productive attacking force, too, having netted five goals and provided 17 assists in that time - playing a role in a league and cup win in his time in Ukraine. Dodo has three years left to run on his current contract with Shakhtar.
