Cruzeiro are set to sign Marquinhos on a permanent deal, after reportedly reaching a compromise with Arsenal over the transfer fee.
Marquinhos after scoring for Cruzeiro (Photos via @pedrovalefoto and @yurilaurindofoto on Instagram)
Photos via @pedrovalefoto and @yurilaurindofoto on Instagram
Thiago Fernandes reported for Goal in Brazil on Thursday that Marquinhos will sign permanently for Cruzeiro. The club have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal, and manager Leonardo Jardim has given his approval to the transfer.
Fabrizio Romano confirms that “it’s over” between Arsenal and Marquinhos, with the player joining his new club on a permanent deal lasting until 2028.
Cruzeiro had recently refused to include Marquinhos in their matchday squads to avoid activating a purchase clause in his loan deal. According to Goal, the clause would be mandatory if Marquinhos played in 60% of the team’s matches before June 30th.
Marquinhos preparing for a game for Cruzeiro (Photo via Marquinhos on Instagram)
Photo via Marquinhos on Instagram
Cruzeiro were unwilling to pay the fee they initially agreed, and neither Fernandes nor Romano provide any insight on the nature of the subsequent compromise between the two clubs.
But CNN Brasil report that Cruzeiro have slightly reduced the amount they owe by agreeing to pay it in a different currency.
Initially, the two clubs agreed the €3.5m (£2.9m) fee would be paid in Euros, but Cruzeiro have offered to pay it in dollars instead. That alteration will save them around R$3m (£0.4m).
CNN report that Marquinhos is now expected to be available for Cruzeiro when they face Palmeiras on Sunday, June 1st.
Marquinhos plays for Cruzeiro (Photo via Marquinhos on Instagram)
Photo via Marquinhos on Instagram
Jardim had publicly confirmed that Marquinhos’ contractual issue was the reason he wasn’t included in the squad for recent matches, saying: “The club and I asked Arsenal to get him to play a few more games so we can better assess his quality for our structure.
“He certainly has quality, but we are waiting for Arsenal to open the door for him to play a few more games.”
The hesitation made some sense, given Jardim wasn’t in charge when Marquinhos was signed. Fernando Diniz was head coach at the time.
It seems the two clubs have ultimately agreed to reduce the cost of the transfer slightly to get it done immediately.
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