Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Corinthians starlet Gabriel Moscardo after Premier League rivals Chelsea failed with a £20 million bid in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Jorge Nicola; one of the most reliable sources in Brazilian football. It was he who broke the news, back in 2022, that Arsenal had joined the race to sign Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.
And, with the winger eventually ending up at the Emirates to the tune of £3 million, Nicola is a man worth listening to as Arsenal throw their hat into the ring for another Samba starlet making quite the name for himself across the Atlantic.
Arsenal join Chelsea in Gabriel Moscardo race
“Gabriel Moscardo almost signed for Chelsea a few weeks ago, and (there are rumours that he) could now become a Barcelona player,” Nicola explains via his YouTube channel.
After touching base with who he describes as ‘the person who gave me the information about negotiations between Corinthians and Chelsea’, Nicola became aware of interest from another London giant in the 17-year-old playmaker.
“This person said; ‘So far, there is nothing concrete in regards to Barcelona. Only press speculation’. The same source assures me that the midfielder has been analysed by several clubs in European football, including Real Madrid and Arsenal,” Nicola adds.
“(Moscardo’s) future should be negotiated in the next window.”
Edu can be the difference for Arsenal
Moscardo only made his Corinthians debut in July, and will turn 18 later this month.
Described as a ‘steering wheel’ midfielder due to his ability to control proceedings from the centre of the park and drive his team forward, the shaven-headed whizzkid has established himself as a regular in the Corinthians XI in double-quick time, his performances encouraging a £20 million bid from a Chelsea side who continue to invest heavily in some of world football’s most exciting teenage talent.
Arsenal may be hoping that the Edu Gaspar factor gives them an advantage over the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid when the Brazilian season comes to an end ahead of the winter window.
Edu, Arsenal’s technical director, has excellent relations in Brazilian football.
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