The agent of reported Arsenal target Kaio Jorge believes the time is right to leave a Santos side suffering from “very big financial difficulties”, speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss, via Tuttomercatoweb.
In autumn 2019, following a Carabao Cup clash between Arsenal and Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp couldn’t contain himself when asked about an 18-year-old forward who had just ripped his defence apart in a remarkable 5-5 draw.
“(Gabriel) Martinelli, he’s a talent of the century. He’s an incredible striker,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
At the time, a teenager snapped up for just £7 million looked like one of the most inspired bargain signings in recent Premier League history.
So the challenge for Kaio Jorge, should he follow in Martinelli’s footsteps, would be to emulate the immediate impact of his fellow Samba starlet in north London.
Last month, Calciomercato reported Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal hope to add the so-called ‘new Neymar’ to an already Portuguese-speaking dressing room, with Santos expected to sell for about £18 million with his contract expiring at the end of 2021.
According to UOL, Santos have already agreed to sell Jorge this summer. But will his destination be Italy rather than England? It’s no secret Napoli are interested and, speaking this week, his agent admitted the Stadio San Paolo club may be at the front of the queue.
“Kaio Jorge? He is a prospect,” Joao Santos says. “Santos have very big financial difficulties. I think this is the right time for Napoli to buy this player.”
Jorge already has 32 Brazilian Serie A appearances under his belt. Martinelli, meanwhile, had never played a league game prior to his 2019 switch.
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