Arsenal signed Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in the summer in Edu Gaspar’s latest move to recruit one of Brazil’s most exciting talents, yet the teenager could already be heading out on loan in January.
The Evening Standard recently reported that Arsenal are looking at loaning out Marquinhos in the winter window as the 19-year-old’s playing time is set to dramatically reduce in the second half of the season with the UEFA Europa League group stages now concluded, with Arsenal also crashing out of the League Cup at the first hurdle.
With Arsenal looking to win the Europa League and the Gunners still top of the Premier League table, sending Marquinhos out on loan might be the best way forward for the Brazilian, who has shown bright sparks this season in his limited appearances for the north London side.
Mikel Arteta is expected to strengthen in January, and with Marquinhos now expected to leave the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis, here are five clubs who the South American youngster could join in the new year to improve his development in the European game.
AJ Auxerre
Arsenal are no strangers to loaning out players to Ligue 1, with this season alone seeing three players on the Gunners’ books head to the French top-tier for the campaign, with Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe, especially, flourishing in the division. And for Marquinhos, AJ Auxerre could be an ideal club for the Brazilian.
The historic French side are renowned for their work in developing young players into superstars, and for Arsenal and Marquinhos, Auxerre could be the perfect stepping stone for the attacker to find his stride in the professional game and to play regular minutes in one of Europe’s best leagues for talented prospects.
Girona FC
For many South Americans, Spain is arguably the country that feels the most like home given the climate and the lack of a language barrier, and this is what could make Girona FC another perfect club for Marquinhos to join in the January transfer window.
A member of City Football Group, Girona’s style of play and their hyper-attacking 4-1-4-1 system could suit Marquinhos to a tee. And with Arteta implementing his own spin on Manchester City’s football at Arsenal, sending the youngster to Catalonia could provide the winger with more than just regular minutes in a top league.
SC Braga
As well as Spain, Portugal is a popular country for South Americans to experience their first taste of European football, especially for Brazilian players. And SC Braga could provide Marquinhos a unique opportunity to play both regular football and have a shot of making history.
The Primeira Liga side currently sit third in the standings and well in with a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, and signing Marquinhos for the final half of the season could help Braga reach the competition for the first time in over ten years.
Torino
Marquinhos’ style of play makes the Arsenal attacker quite an alluring target in January, with numerous clubs likely to enquire for the Brazilian youngster should the plea go out for a club to sign the winger on loan. And from the plethora of Italian sides who could land the teenager, Torino would be an interesting option.
The Turin-based club have already seen a Premier League loanee transform their season into something exciting in West Ham star Nikola Vlasic, and for Marquinhos, the South American could have a similar impact at a club where Brazilians have stolen the limelight at in recent years.
VfL Wolfsburg
For many Arsenal fans and pundits, Germany seems to be the ideal destination for any young player looking to gain regular minutes and to develop their game. And with VfL Wolfsburg in the market for a winger, it only makes sense that Marquinhos might be a target for the Bundesliga side.
Regulars in Europe in recent years and still one of the biggest clubs in the division, Marquinhos could become a hit at Wolfsburg if the German side are willing to given the Arsenal loan star a shot in the Bundesliga, with the winger seemingly ready to take on the task already based on his performances this season.
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