Arsenal are one of three clubs chasing Brazilian wonderkid Matheus Franca this summer, but the Gunners are yet to make any official proposal for the 19-year-old amid interest from Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners are looking to repeat their transfer trick for Gabriel Martinelli, who Edu Gaspar recruited from Brazil when he was an unknown talent. He has since become one of the best wingers in the Premier League, and managed 15 goals and 5 assists in his most recent Premier League campaign.
Franca, a teenage attacker, could be the next cab off the rank.
Still only 19 years old, he can play on either flank or through the middle behind a striker, and has caught the eye during his brief appearances for Flamengo this season.
Following Endrick and Andrey Santos, it appears that he could be the next to leave the Brazilian hotbed of talent, with several clubs chasing his signature this summer.
However, it may not be to Arsenal, despite their interest in the teenager.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, at present there is ‘no proposal, bid or formal talks at this stage’ between the parties, though Franca is ‘one of the talents now monitored by the club in Brazil’.
It comes six months after Newcastle saw a 20m euro bid for the Brazilian turned down, with the Magpies another club hot on the heels of the youngster.
Arsenal have plenty of other priorities this summer, with two midfielders on the cards and West Ham United’s Declan Rice reportedly their no.1 target. Another defender is also on Mikel Arteta’s transfer wishlist ahead of the new season.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/xlmedia/75056cb2-70a2-47ac-a9bf-dc86877bc260.png)
