Arsenal`s Santos in Brazil transfer talks

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian football club Gremio has confirmed its interest in signing Arsenal defender Andre Santos for the club`s upcoming Copa Libertadores campaign.

The club is in a race against time to secure the 29-year-old ahead of the Feb 12 deadline to submit Copa Libertadores team squads, reports Xinhua. "Andre Santos is one of our interests. We talked with Arsenal but there is nothing certain. It is a very difficult negotiation," Gremio president Fabio Koff said. Santos has made just 23 first-team appearances for the `Gunners` since his 2011 move from Turkey`s Fenerbahce. Gremio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is seeking a backup to injured former Liverpool and Valencia left-back Fabio Aurelio following the club`s failure to sign Argentina international Emiliano Insua last month. IANS