WINGER WITHDRAWN FOR TONIGHTS GAME TO HELP FINALISE ARSENAL MOVE.
Arsenal target Marquinhos has been pulled out of the Sao Paulo squad for tonight’s game against Cuiaba as speculation surrounds his future.
The Gunners are expected to make big signings this summer but Edu is also lining up an addition for the future.
Edu has a great knowledge of the Brazilian market and that’s how he ended up signing Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in 2019.
Arsenal are now seeking to replicate that success by swooping in to sign Marquinhos from Say Paulo.
ARSENAL TARGET MARQUINHOS HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE SAO PAULO SQUAD
Reports of Arsenal’s interest in signing Marquinhos broke just a matter of days ago.
Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola reported that Arsenal were making a move to sign Marquinhos this summer.
Marquinhos has a £42.5million release clause in his contract but Arsenal are set to sign him for a fraction of the price.
The Athletic claim that Arsenal are nearing a deal worth just €3.5million (£3million) to sign Marquinhos.
Marquinhos has refused a number of contract offers from Sao Paulo and now looks ready to join Arsenal.
The intriguing point is that Marquinhos has been pulled out of the Sao Paulo squad to face Cuiaba tonight.
The belief is that Marquinhos is expected to miss the game so he can finalise his move to Arsenal.
We’re still a number of weeks away from the European transfer window opening but Sao Paulo seemingly don’t want to risk anything going wrong.
If the confirmed team comes in later and Marquinhos is out of the squad, you can be fairly sure that he is Arsenal-bound.
MARQUINHOS WON’T IMPACT ARSENAL’S JESUS CHASE
Marquinhos can play out wide or up front and is certainly seen as one for the future at Arsenal.
The 19-year-old has played 39 times for Sao Paulo but has only scored four goals and three assists.
Marquinhos will need some coaching up at Arsenal but Edu clearly feels that he is worth a punt at just £3million.
Football London note that this deal will have no impact on Arsenal’s main transfer business and won’t stop a move for fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus.
Marquinhos will though want to emulate Martinelli and become a first-team star at Arsenal moving forward.
