Gremio reject loan extension for Santos

Rio de Janeiro, May 27 (IANS)

Gremio has declined to extend its loan deal with Arsenal defender Andre Santos, the Brazilian club’s coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said.

Santos joined the Porto Alegre outfit in February after struggling for first-team opportunities under Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. But the 30-year-old failed to impress Luxemburgo and was not even considered for the club’s opening Brazilian Serie A fixture against Nauticoon Sunday, which Gremio won 2-0.

“He has helped us a lot but his contract is expensive. He came here for the Copa Libertadores and the move was a success but it’s not possible to continue,” Luxemburgo said Sunday.

The left-back has made just 23 first-team appearances for the Gunners since his 2011 move from Turkey’s Fenerbahce. He will return to Emirates Stadium in July but his future at the London club remains in doubt.