Douglas Costa (right) is being tracked by Manchester United and Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal and Manchester United have been told to stump up £40m if they want to sign Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a transfer away from Shakhtar in the coming weeks after he refused to return to Ukraine because of political problems in the country earlier this summer.

His tricky situation at Shakhtar has resulted in several European clubs – including United, Arsenal and AC Milan – weighing up a move for the uncapped Brazilian.

However, The Daily Star has claimed that The Red Devils and The Gunners will have to splash out £40m to land the winger this summer after club bosses reportedly said they thought Costa was better than his compatriot Hulk.




The player himself is believed to prefer a switch to Arsenal over United, although no deal has been struck with either side.

MORE: 9 reasons why Arsenal NEED to sign Shakhtar Donetsk play-maker Douglas Costa