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Arsenal have reportedly made contact with a Brazilian youngster with Chelsea and Tottenham also interested.
Arsenal are no strangers to developing wonder kids with this season a perfect case. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both emerged as stars for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The pair came through the academy, but Arsenal also have a history of buying wonder kids from abroad. One such name is winger Gabriel Martinelli, who they signed at the age of 17 from Brazilian side Ituano for £6 million.
Martinelli is now expected to be worth upwards of £45m, and has become a star in the Premier League. According to new reports, they may have found their next Brazilian wonderkid.
Arsenal ‘make contact’ with Brazilian right-back
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been said to be interested in a 21-year-old right-back who plays for Brazil Serie A side Flamengo. According to a new report by Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte, Arsenal have ‘made contact’ with Flamengo regarding defender Wesley Franca, and how much a potential summer transfer would cost.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most talented youngsters in Brazil, making six appearances for Flamengo so far this season. He can also play as a midfielder due to his attacking qualities, making him an ideal wing-back. The report says that Flamengo won’t accept any less than £29 million for Franca, but they are ‘almost certain’ that he will leave in the summer due to the amount of transfer interest that they have received in him.
The report says that Arsenal aren’t the only Premier League team to be interested. Liverpool have reportedly made contact too as they look for a long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Furthermore, it says that Chelsea, Tottenham, Man United and Newcastle are all reportedly interested too, as Flamengo could find themselves receiving several bids for the 21-year-old in the summer.
Franca is more of an attacking right-back than current Arsenal first-choice Jurrien Timber, who scored in Arsenal’s last game against PSV. Franca would give Arteta the flexibility to play different full-backs depending on his game plan and opponents.
Arsenal could see Flamengo ‘trade’ in summer
With the Gunners interested in Flamengo defender Franca, they could see a swap in players due to the Brazilian club being keen on signing one of Arsenal’s players in the summer.
Jorginho is due to become a free agent with his contract at the Emirates expiring in June. He has been linked with a move to Flamengo, as the club are in talks with the 33-year-old.
The Italian midfielder was born in Brazil, and reportedly is keen on a move back to the country, with Flamengo viewing him as a real difference-maker should they manage to land him. Jorginho has been at Arsenal for over two years after he joined from Chelsea in 2023, and has made 75 appearances for Arteta’s side, scoring two goals and providing three assists in his time.
In other news, Arsenal transfer target Kingsley Coman has been linked to two Premier League rivals.