Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on the signing of Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva.
Striker poised to leave Arsenal
Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on the signing of Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva.
Arsenal are believed to have agreed a fee with the Ukrainians for the Croatian international.
Eduardo was missing from the squad that flew out to Austria on Monday for the club's pre-season training camp to allow him to hold talks with Shakhtar.
The 27-year-old has struggled to recapture his best form at Arsenal since the traumatic leg injury he sustained against Birmingham in February 2008.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is willing to let Eduardo move on having signed Marouane Chamakh this summer and Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu believes the Croatian still has a lot to offer.
"We wanted to buy Eduardo before he moved to Arsenal," said Lucescu. "Not everything went his way last season, but he is still a player of very high quality, a real marksman.
"Yes, he had a serious injury, we are aware of the risk, but at the same time we realise he can give a lot to Shakhtar. We expect a lot from Eduardo."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has backed Eduardo's impending move to Shakhtar feeling it will help him to get back to his best.
"I spoke with Eduardo. He was very pleased with the move to Shakhtar," said Bilic.
"He is going to a strong league. This season they will once again play in the Champions League, have many difficult matches and this is excellent for the national team.
"The captain of Shakhtar is Darijo Srna, in the team there are a lot of Brazilians - I have no doubt that Eduardo will quickly adapt to Donetsk."
