Arsenal are about to complete the signing of São Paulo youngster Marquinhos. As first reported by Globo Esporte in Brazil, the clubs reached an agreement to make the transfer for €3.5m.
In a quick and surprising move, the Gunners never gave the competition any chance to fight for the player, and guaranteed the signing for a bargain amount as his club were afraid of losing him this summer.
Now it turns out that despite taking Marquinhos now, Arsenal are not expected to use him next season. Sport Witness has learned that the 19-year-old is expected to be loaned out at first, with the favourite destination being a Spanish club.
Only a big turnaround with the player convincing Mikel Arteta during pre-season would convince the Gunners to keep in the squad for the 2022/23 season.
Marquinhos made his professional debut for São Paulo last year, and despite not getting a place in the Tricolor’s starting team yet, he’s been showing some good potential at the club, who regret losing him for such a little fee now.
Arsenal, who took the opportunity, see the move similar to when they signed Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano back in 2019. The difference is that they felt the striker was ready to develop at the club, and that proved to be the right move from the Gunners.
