Arsenal - Kai Havertz
Image credit: Getty Images
Brazilian winger Marquinhos has completed a permanent transfer from Arsenal to Cruzeiro, according to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 21-year-old initially joined the Brazilian Serie A side on loan in January 2025 and impressed enough during his stint to earn a full-time move. While the transfer fee remains undisclosed, the move marks the end of a largely underwhelming spell for Marquinhos at the Emirates Stadium.
Marquinhos joined Arsenal from São Paulo in June 2022 for €3.5 million, arriving with high expectations and comparisons to compatriot Gabriel Martinelli. He made an encouraging start, scoring and assisting on his debut in a Europa League match against FC Zurich. However, first-team opportunities quickly dried up, and he made just five appearances in total for the Gunners — only one of which came in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Arsenal target £25m playmaker following Premier League relegation
🚨🇧🇷 It’s over between Arsenal and Marquinhos as Brazilian winger joins Cruzeiro on permanent deal until 2028. pic.twitter.com/zpMiIfqWAV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2025
The Brazilian youth international was sent on a series of loan spells in a bid to gain experience. He featured 11 times for Norwich City in the Championship during the second half of the 2022/23 season, before a frustrating stint at Nantes in Ligue 1, where he failed to score in seven appearances. He later returned to Brazil with a loan move to Fluminense, and eventually joined Cruzeiro in January 2025.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Despite a promising reputation upon arrival in north London, Marquinhos never quite managed to establish himself under Mikel Arteta. A combination of limited opportunities and underwhelming loan spells meant the Brazilian struggled to make the expected breakthrough.
Arsenal may yet make a modest profit on the transfer, but the move ultimately closes a chapter that promised much but delivered little. For Marquinhos, the return to Brazil offers a fresh start and the opportunity to reignite his once-promising career in more familiar surroundings.
NEXT ARTICLE: Real Sociedad president mount last-ditch bid to stop Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal move