Arsenal have entered the race to sign Chelsea defender Alex, according to Metro.
The Brazilian seems destined for pastures new despite having started the season in the first team under Andre Villas-Boas though he lost his place to Branislav Ivanovic for th Saturday’s win over Norwich City due to an error-strewn display against West Bromwich Albion a week earlier. With Chelsea boasting an impressive array of options in central defence that include John Terry, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Oriol Romeu and academy graduate Nathaniel Chalobah, Alex is likely to be offloaded to ensure that Chelsea meet the Premier League’s squad requirements that decree no more than 17 overseas players can be named.
Arsenal still retain an interest in signing Gary Cahill from Bolton Wanderers but with a deal yet to be formally struck and the two clubs at loggerheads over the fee, a move for Alex is increasing in probability. The Gunners have bad memories of the 29-year-old who has scored twice against them – once for PSV Eindhoven and a blockbusting free-kick for the Blues last last season.
While his shooting and muscular defending clearly appeal to manager Arsene Wenger, the Brazil international is also attractive due to his relatively low transfer fee which could be as low as £7m.
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