SAO PAULO’S COACH REACTION AS ARSENAL WANT TO SIGN HIS PLAYER; ‘A CHANCE OF LEAVING’.
Arsenal want Marquinhos and Sao Paulo coach Rogerio Ceni is aware of speculation suggesting the ‘outstanding’ teenage forward is closing in on a move to the Premier League giants, speaking to Lance.
Three years after snapping up a little-known Gabriel Martinelli from FC Ituano, The Gunners appear to be hot on the heels of another fresh-faced Brazilian attacker.
According to Goal Brasil, Arsenal have submitted a bid in the region of £2.5 million for 19-year-old Marquinhos.
What’s more, there is a growing ‘confidence’ that an agreement can be reached, Globo Esporte backing up those claims.
“Let’s talk and see what the possibilities are, if there is a way out,” explains Ceni, the legendary-free-kick-scoring-goalkeeper turned head coach.
“I’ve heard the rumours, I read things. I saw that there is supposedly a chance of him leaving Sao Paulo.”
The former Brazil U17 international recently signed a five-year contract with Sao Paulo. But, according to Lance, such a deal breaches FIFA regulations. Due to Marquinhos’ age, the report adds, the maximum length of contract Sao Paulo were legally able to offer was just three years.
“If Marquinhos leaves, I think it opens up a possibility (of signing a replacement),” Ceni adds. “But we have to see the financial conditions of the club. What you want is one thing, the reality is another.”
A skilful right-winger who can also play on the left, Marquinhos failed to score and managed just one assist in 21 Brazilian Serie A games in the 2021 campaign. He did impress in the Copa Libertadores however.
And Ceni believes that the teenager has plenty of room for improvement, especially when it comes to making an impact right at the start of games.
“Marquinhos helps us, especially when he comes on in the second half,” the manager says. “He’s been outstanding in the last 20 or 30 minutes. When he starts game starts, he doesn’t have such a good performance.”
