Gunners set to sign ‘The Beast’

ARSENAL are weighing up whether to make an offer to Sevilla for Julio ‘The Beast’ Baptista as they line up what would be their second major deal of the summer.

The Gunners' initial inquiry, reported to have been around €9m with a further €3m based on appearances, is said to have been rejected by the Spanish club.

However, while Sevilla are holding out for an improved offer in the region of €15m, it appears likely they would be willing to reach an agreement.

President Jose Maria del Nido has conceded that all attempts to persuade the 23-year-old Brazil forward who has scored 38 goals in the past two seasons in La Liga to stay at Sevilla have failed.

Arsenal can only hope another club do not enter the bidding, therefore forcing up the price, with the Gunners having already agreed a deal worth up to €15m with Stuttgart for Belarus international Aleksander Hleb, who is still awaiting a work permit.