Brazil international Fagner has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s incoming technical director Edu is driving a move for Brazil international right-back Fagner.

The north London club are set to confirm the return of their former player once his commitments with the Selecao are completed at the Copa America.

Edu, who won two Premier League titles during a distinguished career with Arsenal, will help oversee the club’s transfer activity in conjunction with Unai Emery and the club’s head of football Raul Sanllehi.

Emery is working with a tight budget this summer following his failure to secure Champions League qualification, but experienced cover at right-back remains a priority.




Stephan Lichtsteiner departed at the start of the month following a disappointing 12 months at the club, while Hector Bellerin is unlikely to be fully fit for the start of the new season as he continues his rehabilitation from the cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered in January.

Carl Jenkinson, meanwhile, could yet be used as a makeweight in potential details for Wilfried Zaha or Kieran Tierney and Emery is likely to require Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who deputised for Bellerin during the second half of last season, to play in his natural central midfield role.

Edu is set to be confirmed as Arsenal’s technical director (Picture: Getty)

Fagner, who enjoyed spells at Wolfsburg and PSV earlier in his career, according to FOX Sports Radio Brazil, is viewed as a cut-price option by Edu.

Arsenal were linked with PSG’s Thomas Munier earlier this summer but are unlikely to be able to afford PSG’s asking price of around £30million.

The Gunners are struggling to raise funds to finance a move for Zaha having seen a £40m opening offer dismissed out of hand by Crystal Palace and club chiefs are preparing to ask Stan Kroenke for additional funds to strengthen a squad which faltered badly at the end of last season.