Arsenal are heading a distinguished pack chasing the signature of Werder Bremen playmaker Diego, according to the player’s father.
It is believed that the Gunners spoke to relevant officials about the availability of the 23-year-old after he dazzled in a recent friendly for Brazil at the Emirates last week.
However, Diego's father and agent Djair da Cunha claims Arsene Wenger will finally have to spend big to land the star, something in the region of £23.5million, in order to win a three-way fight against Real Madrid and Juventus.
Although fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea have also been strongly linked with a summer move for the Bundesliga star, Djair insists these clubs are not really interested.
"There has been a lot of speculation - not all of it is true”, said Djair.
"But Real, Arsenal and Juve all want my son. Juve sporting director Alessio Secco has already been to Bremen to talk with the Werder sporting director."
Diego is under contract at Bremen until 2011, but if Djair was to have his way his son will soon be playing on the biggest stage: "I'm not happy about the situation in Bremen. Diego's dream is to win the Champions League.
"We accept the contract he has with Werder and Diego will behave professionally: We'll wait until July."
Goal.com - England - Arsenal Head Race To Sign Diego