Douglas Costa to join Bayern Munich, says Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu

Posted Saturday, June 27, 2015 by ESPN

Douglas Costa is set to join Bayern Munich, Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu confirmed on Friday.

The Ukrainian club have been in talks with the German champions over the 24-year-old's transfer for months, Lucescu told Dolce Sport.

"There have been discussions since the winter," Lucescu said. "Douglas couldn't develop any more with us."

The Shakhtar coach said Costa will one day succeed Arjen Robben, who at 31 missed more than two months of action at the end of last season.

"I see him taking on Robben's role -- he has a similar profile," Lucescu said. "He's only 24 years old, so he could reach his level in the coming years."

Douglas Costa to join Bayern Munich, says Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu
Brazil's Douglas Costa, center, is close to a deal to move to Bayern Munich when he returns to Europe after the Copa America.

Lucescu's comments come one day after German broadcaster Sport1 said the runaway Bundesliga champions had reached verbal agreements with the player and his club, with a €35 million move set to be made official soon.

The attacking midfielder is currently representing Brazil at the Copa America.

Dubai-based club Al Ahli had also announced this week that they had agreed a deal to sign striker Luiz Adriano from Shakhtar, but Lucescu said the Brazilian did not want to make the move.

"The player does not want to go to the UAE," he said. "But perhaps there will be competition from other clubs, Roma, Milan and Monaco, those who wanted him in the winter.

"He only has six months left on his contract, but it's good that we get some money for him."