Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo has welcomed interest from Arsenal, considerably opening up the possibility of the Brazilian international sealing a switch to the Emirates before the transfer window shuts early next month.
Widespread reports suggest Arsenal are in advanced talks over a move for Gustavo, who has told he can leave by Bayern manager Pep Guardiola.
A bid ranging between £14-17 million ($21.5-26 million) has been reportedly made by Arsenal as Arsene Wenger looks to add some physicality to his midfield.
Speaking about the reported interest from the Gunners, Gustavo said he would love a move to the English Premier League and was keen to seal a deal soon in search of first team football.
"My contract with Bayern runs until 2015 but it is very important that I play first-team football to keep getting called up for Brazil," Gustavo told reporters in Basel ahead of Brazil's friendly against Switzerland.
"I am in a very delicate situation at Bayern and this needs sorting out. I have personal and professional reasons to move.
"I have heard about the Arsenal interest. It's a big club we're talking about here so of course I'd like to play for them.
"Arsenal play a very attractive brand of football and are in the Champions League. They also have a very clever manager in Arsene Wenger.
"Even when Bayern beat them in the last Champions League (on away goals) you could see they are not pushovers."
Arsenal's transfer window business has so far hinged on strikers with first Gonzalo Higuain looking like coming to the Emirates before Wenger turned his attention towards Luis Suarez after learning of the player's desire to leave Liverpool.
The Suarez transfer saga seems like it could well go down until the end of the transfer window and the Arsenal manager will be keen to bolster other areas in the meantime, especially with the number of exits that Arsenal have seen this summer.
