Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on the signing of Arsenal
striker Eduardo da Silva.
The Gunners are believed to have agreed a fee with the Ukrainian
club for the Croatia 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."