Arsenal and Liverpool have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Brazilian sensation Isaque Silva, who is set to join Shakhtar Donetsk.
According to a report by RTI Esporte, a big drama unfolded over Fluminense’s 18-year-old attacking midfielder Isaque Silva. Both Arsenal and Liverpool had shown interest in the Brazilian teenager. However, both English giants eventually returned empty-handed as Fluminense had already reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk. According to the news, Arsenal contacted the club at the last minute and put forward an offer of more money than Shakhtar’s offer. But the Fluminense board respected the pre-made agreement and flatly refused to back out of the deal.
It is now expected that Isaque Silva will complete the medical test on Tuesday, and after that, his transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk will become official. At the same time, A Bola revealed that Liverpool were also serious about Silva and were keeping an eye on his progress for a long time. The club believed that this player could become a big name in the future. But Fluminense’s commitment and Shakhtar’s speed foiled the English clubs’ intentions. This whole story has once again shown how important timing and compromise are in the transfer market.
Arsenal news: Was Fluminense’s decision right and the way forward
The question now arises whether Fluminense should have considered Arsenal’s higher offer? The financial benefit would have been greater, but the club preferred the trust built with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Brazilian club believes that sticking to the deal is important for their credibility, especially in the European football network. However, from an economic point of view, joining Arsenal could have been more beneficial in the long run for both the club and the player.
On the other hand, Shakhtar Donetsk will offer a different kind of platform for Isaac Silva. This Ukrainian club is famous for constantly giving opportunities to young players. However, the level and challenge of the Premier League is much higher. Silva’s development could have been faster with teams like Arsenal or Liverpool, but Shakhtar could give him more playing time in the early years, which is crucial for any 18-year-old.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal must now be more nimble and decisive in their scouting and negotiation tactics. Late attempts often snatch opportunities from the hand. Engaging young players in time and convincing clubs early is the only way to avoid such a situation in the future. Silva’s case is a lesson for both English giants that speed and vision matter equally in the transfer market. Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to sign a 23-year-old Ecuadorian centre-back.