1. Dede
Brazilian centre-back Dede currently plays in the Liga do Brasil with Cruzeiro, and has been capped nine times by the Brazilian national team. At 6 ft 3 in, Dede has a formidable physique, which, when combined with his natural strength and pace, make him one of the most gifted centre backs in Brazil. He has just come off the back of his best season in football to date, and now looks set to take the next step in his career.
With Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen’s future uncertain, the Gunners could be on the search for an experienced centre back who has the physical capabilities to deal with life in the Premier League. Dede is one such player, and it could be said that there would be no better signing for the Gunners. At 26 years old, Dede is not even near his prime, which is considered to be 30 years old for a centre back. Therefore, with Koscielny and Mertesacker both a few years older than Dede, once these two are past their prime, Dede would be ready to take centre stage.
The big Brazilian would also not be the most expensive purchase the Gunners could make, with Cruzeiro not exactly thriving financially. Neither would Dede command huge wages like some of the more high-profile defenders in the modern era, with £60,000-a-week being a realistic estimate for a player of Dede’s credentials. Cruzeiro would probably ask for a fee in the region of £5m, which would certainly be no trouble for the new, free-spending Arsenal. At first glance, Dede may not seem like the best signing for the Gunners, but there’s no doubt he’s a talent, and Arsenal certainly need defensive cover. Use the navigation below to see the other two players Arsenal could sign from the Brazilian league.