Arsenal are in talks with the agent of Marquinhos Cipriano, who is impressing for Sao Paolo in Brazil at present.
The 17 year-old is yet to make his senior debut for his club, but is touted as one of the hottest prospects in Brazil, and is viewed as a future star of his club’s first-team.
Cipriano scored 14 goals in 12 matches for his club’s under-17 side, and his club are believed to be keen to keep a hold of the wonderkid,
Juventus are also believed to have made contact with his representatives, and despte Sao Paolo’s unwillingness to negotiate his sale, could be forced to lose him, due to a clause in his contract.
The attacking midfielder is available for £23 Million (or €30 Million) , and could become the latest South-American to make the bold move to Europe from his home country.
Gabriel Paulista is the only current player in the Gunners side who is also from Brazil, and could help the youngster to settle in London should he agree to switch.
A work permit could well prove a problem, although it could be approved on appeal, due to the fee his signature would require.
Arsenal have already agreed to sign Nigerian 18 year-old Kelechi Nwakali this summer, who is set to sign a contract with the club once he is finished on international duty for his country’s Under-20 side, who face Sudan twice in July.
Team-mate Alexandre Pato made the move from Sao Paolo to London in January on a temporary basis, but looks unlikely to make that move permanent having failed to hold down a regular starting role for Chelsea, but I doubt that would put Marquinhos off making the plunge.
Is £23 Million too much to spend on an unproven youngster? Or does Man United’s Martial deal prove that some risks are worth taking?