Arsenal defender Santos in Brazil transfer talks

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Gremio has confirmed its interest in signing Arsenal¹ defender² 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 February 12 deadline to submit Copa Libertadores team squads³.

　　"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 told Zero Hora.

　　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.

1 arsenal   

n.兵工厂，军械库

参考例句：

• Even the workers at the arsenal have got a secret organization.兵工厂工人暗中也有组织。
• We must be the great arsenal of democracy.我们必须成为民主的大军火库。

2 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

3 squads   

n.（军队中的）班( squad的名词复数 )；（暗杀）小组；体育运动的运动（代表）队；（对付某类犯罪活动的）警察队伍

参考例句：

• Anti-riot squads were called out to deal with the situation. 防暴队奉命出动以对付这一局势。 来自辞典例句
• Three squads constitute a platoon. 三个班组成一个排。 来自辞典例句