€40m-rated Eduardo Pape is attracting an interest from Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta
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Arsenal are expected to remain active in the transfer market as they look to strengthen their squad following a busy summer under sporting director Andrea Berta.
The Gunners have already been linked with several high-profile names ahead of the January transfer window, but their recruitment plans also appear to extend beyond immediate first-team additions.
After winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, Arsenal suffered disappointment in the Champions League final, losing to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.
The club are therefore expected to continue working on ways to improve their squad as they look to compete for major honours.
Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie and Ezri Konsa arrived during the summer, while Arsenal failed to secure deals for Vinícius Júnior, Bradley Barcola, Julian Alvarez or Morgan Rogers.
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RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa has been linked with a potential move to the Emirates Stadium in January, while Arsenal’s reported interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has also persisted.
However, the club’s recruitment plans are not limited to established first-team players, with reports from Brazil linking the Gunners to a promising young talent attracting attention across Europe.
According to ESPN Brasil, Arsenal are monitoring Cruzeiro midfielder Eduardo Pape.
ESPN Brasil reporter Felipe Silva named Pape among five Cruzeiro players who could be sold, alongside Kaio Jorge, Otavio, Arroyo and Jonathan Jesus.
Bayern Munich and Newcastle United are also following the midfielder, according to the same report.
Sport Witness reports that Arsenal and Newcastle are only monitoring Pape at this stage. The teenager turns 18 next March and cannot move to the UK before next summer.
Pape joined Cruzeiro from Azuriz-PR in January 2024, aged 14, but has yet to make his professional debut.
Cruzeiro renewed his contract until January 2029 after he started for the side that won the Copinha, Brazil’s prestigious under-20 cup competition.
His international release clause stands at €100m, although Goal reports that Cruzeiro are seeking €40m for his signature.
Cruzeiro own 70% of Pape’s rights, while Azuriz retain a further 20%, according to Goal.
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Bayern have also been assessing the youngster, with Goal reporting, citing German newspaper tz, that the Bundesliga club watched him at an Under-18 tournament in Nyon, Switzerland.
Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bournemouth and Monaco were also linked with Pape in the spring.
The Guardian included him among its 60 top talents born in 2009 on October 6, describing his playing style as reminiscent of Sergio Busquets.
Pape captained Brazil at the 2026 South American Under-17 Championship, finishing as his country’s top scorer with four goals.
He has also been named in Brazil’s 21-man squad for the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, which runs from November 19 to December 13.
Brazil will compete in Group I alongside Costa Rica, Ireland and Tanzania.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Arteta at Anfield edit - Liverpool v Arsenal
Arteta at Anfield edit - Liverpool v Arsenal