Scouting Report: Should Inter Milan Pull out All the Stops to Sign Luiz Gustavo

VfL Wolfsburg defensive midfielderLuiz Gustavo is an Inter Milan summer transfer window target, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Nadia Carminati and Simone Bargellini at Sky Sports).Here is a scouting report onGustavo, a 26-year-old Brazilian international.PositivesGustavo is a 6'2", 176-pound defensive midfielder who was primarily used in a 4-2-3-1atWolfsburg.In the past, he has a track-record as a utility player having been afill-in centre-back atBayern Munich and a make-shift left-back atHoffenheim.Winning the ball is an innate trait for Gustavo, who ledWolfsburg in tackles per game (3.4) and was second behind centre-backNaldo (2.9) in interceptions per game (2.4).Gustavo can govern the game defensively by taking the ball away from the opposing team at a feverish rate.Nine tackles vs. Eintracht Frankfurt, per Squawka.com.Eight interceptions vs. Borussia Dortmund, per Squawka.com.Six tackles vs. Nuremberg, per Squawka.com.Six interceptions vs. Freiburg, Squawka.com.Gustavo is a savage tackler, ultra-competitive, relishes 50-50 challenges and strikes terror into technically gifted footballers. This was typified whenGustavo recorded a cheap interception becauseHoffenheim central attacking midfielderRoberto Firmino bailed out of a ground duel fearing he would come off second best.Gustavo is not just a limited ball-winner, the Brazilian international can function as a passing outlet as well.Heregularlycompleted 90 percent of his passes or higher and 60.9 percent of his passes went forward, so he was consistently advancing play, per Squawka.com.Hamburg's defence was split open by anexemplaryRicky Alvarez-likethrough-ball fromGustavo.Gustavo used hisathleticismto accelerate away fromFreiburg central midfielderNicolas Hofler, dragged Freiburgcentre-backImmanuel Hohn out of position, then set upWolfsburg centre-forward Ivica Olic.Gustavo also chipped in with four league goals.NegativesGustavo's way of enforcing in midfield makes him a target for referees.He conceded 67 free-kicks in 29 league games.HeunnecessaryclippedMainz right attacking midfielderNicolai Muller, who had raced away.Gustavo was sent off again after pushingBayer Leverkusen centre-forwardStefan Kiessling in the back.Bottom LineGustavo'swide-ranging playing style is whyInter are soenamoured with him.Inter presidentErick Thohir,perLa Gazzetta dello Sport(h/tNadia Carminati and Simone Bargellini at Sky Sports) is on the record as saying:'[Inter manager Walter] Mazzarri likes [Erik] Lamela and Luiz Gustavo, but everything will depend on the situation of the market.''In about two weeks we hope to be able announce a new player.'Wolfsburg will only sell Gustavounless they make a significant profit on their20 millioninvestment.Inter will need to look at Gustavotransfer alternatives.@allanjianga+allanjiangStatistics viaWhoScored.comRead more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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