Arsenal and Chelsea are both reported to have held talks with a Brazilian forward via his agents, with Premier League offers also made for the player.
Arsenal make transfer plans ahead of summer window
Everything at Arsenal points in the same direction right now.
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal applauds the fans
Nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with seven games remaining, a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP waiting on the horizon and an FA Cup last-eight tie at Southampton on Saturday — Mikel Arteta's side are chasing a treble in a season that has already exceeded expectation.
The title, so long withheld from this club, has never felt closer.
And yet, even as the final stretch of an extraordinary campaign demands complete focus, the work of building Arsenal's next chapter has already begun.
The summer transfer window is shaping up to be an ambitious one.
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Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Gunners plan to add a new attacking player, a midfielder and a full-back when the market reopens.
Tino Livramento is Arsenal's primary target at right-back, with Ben White entering the final two years of his contract and potentially seeking a new challenge.
For the attacking positions, German striker Nicolo Tresoldi — the 21-year-old who has lit up Club Brugge's season with 17 goals and five assists, including eye-catching Champions League displays against Barcelona and Atlético Madrid — has emerged as a significant target.
The exits of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are also being discussed, with room being created in the squad for a new wave of investment.
Gabriel-Jesus-Arsenal
Into that context of forward-thinking recruitment comes a story from Brazil that reveals Arsenal have been casting their net considerably, and considerably further into the future.
Arsenal and Chelsea hold talks with Palmeiras sensation Eduardo Conceicao
According to a report from UOL and journalist Flavio Latif his week, citing Palmeiras youth coordinator João Paulo Sampaio, Arsenal are among a group of English clubs who have held discussions with the representatives of Eduardo Conceicao.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match
The 16-year-old forward is widely regarded as one of the most exciting teenage talents in Brazilian football, with the north Londoners reaching out to his camp alongside London rivals Chelsea.
Sampaio appeared on ESPN Brasil's Fala a Fonte programme to confirm that Palmeiras have already rejected multiple bids from English clubs worth between £17m and £22m for Eduardo.
Born in December 2009 in São Paulo, Eduardo is already operating at the Palmeiras under-20 level despite being eligible for the under-15s.
His performance at January's Copa São Paulo was sensational — four goals and three assists in a tournament full of players significantly older than him.
Scouts have apparently drawn comparisons with Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Jr, citing the same fearlessness in one-on-one situations, the same low centre of gravity and the same instinctive dribbling.
Vinicius Jr. celebrates for Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr. celebrates for Real Madrid
He is now preparing to represent Brazil at the South American under-17 Championship — a tournament that could amplify his profile still further.
Palmeiras will not sell for less than £52m — the standard set by the departures of Endrick and Estevao Willian.
Eduardo also cannot legally move to Europe until he turns 18 in December 2027, making January 2028 the absolute earliest any club could welcome him. His contract runs until January 2029 and carries an £87m release clause.
None of this is deterring Europe's elite, however, with Arsenal and Chelsea firmly in the picture.
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