Arsenal and Fulham are reportedly two of four Premier League clubs to have expressed an interest in signing Corinthians' 19-year-old midfield protege Breno Bidon.
The Gunners reinforced their midfield ranks with the capture of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad in the summer, but Thomas Partey and Jorginho could both leave the club for nothing when the season ends.
Meanwhile, the future of Fulham playmaker Andreas Pereira has been a hot-button topic, as the Brazilian recently hit the headlines when he appeared to flirt with a move to Marseille, comments that he has since clarified.
Whether Pereira is still on the books at Fulham by the end of the season remains to be seen, and there is not believed to have been any progress made in negotiations between Arsenal and Partey over a new contract.
As the two London giants scope out reinforcements for their engine rooms in 2025, Trivela reports that Corinthians' Bidon is a player who has caught the eye of as many as four English teams, who are readying approaches for 2025.
Who is Corinthians midfield starlet Bidon?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on December 8, 2024© Imago
A product of the Corinthians youth system, Bidon was officially promoted to the Brazilian giants' first-team ranks in March and has already played 44 times for the club, registering one goal and two assists.
The 2005-born lynchpin is seemingly most comfortable as a number eight or box-to-box midfielder, but he has also been deployed in a holding role for Corinthians, as well as on the left and right-hand side.
Bidon - who is left-footed and stands at 5ft 10in tall - has also been capped by Brazil at Under-20 level, making his debut and playing the full 90 in a friendly win over Mexico in September.
Corinthians are under little pressure to accept a cut-price fee for Bidon, whose contract runs until New Year's Eve 2028, and there is understood to be a €100m (£83.3m) release clause in his agreement.
Any Fulham move for Bidon will likely hinge on the future of Pereira, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta apparently feels that the youngster has all the attributes to excel as an all-around Premier League midfielder.
Arsenal's mixed history of signing Brazilian youngsters
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli pictured on October 5, 2024© Imago
Arsenal poaching young talents from South America during the Edu era is nothing new; the Gunners appear to have established a network of connections on the continent thanks to their outgoing sporting director, a former Brazil international himself.
Arsenal used such links to their advantage in 2019 with the shrewd acquisition of Gabriel Martinelli, who hit the ground running in North London and quickly became one of the Premier League's top young prospects, even if he has been found wanting over the past year.
On the other hand, Arsenal's signing of Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in 2022 has not worked out as intended; the attacker has been loaned out to Norwich City, Nantes and Fluminense and will return to North London from his time with the latter imminently.
Corinthians apparently issued a hands-off warning over Bidon when clubs came calling in the summer of 2024, but the South American giants are expected to change their stance next year as they endeavour to raise funds.
The 19-year-old could be one of the first names on the chopping block due to his high-value and home-grown status, and it is likely that Corinthians will not demand his £83.3m buyout clause is paid in full.
ID:560593:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6259: