If Arsenal were disappointed to learn Kaio Jorge would link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala at Juventus next season instead, a thrilling hat-trick from another Samba starlet should turn that frustration back into excitement.
Kaio Jorge isn’t the only bright-eyed Brazilian on Arsenal’s radar after all.
According to Globo Esporte, the Gunners have been tracking 20-year-old Yuri Alberto since 2017.
The Internacional hitman was a precocious teenager when he first registered on Arsenal’s radar. Four years later, he’s one of the most feared forwards in Brazilian football, a reputation enhanced by a glorious treble in a 4-0 thrashing of Flamengo at the weekend.
Arsenal target Yuri Alberto breaks his lean spell in style
His first of the night was classic Alberto, slotted home with minimal fuss from 18 yards.
For his second, the Brazil U23 star spun off a defender inside the penalty area before rifling into the net from the tightest of angles with his weaker left foot.
The hat-trick strike was, fittingly, the best of the lot.
Drifting in from the wing, Alberto looked across the box for support. With no one to pass to, however, he went for goal himself and found it in some style, taking his tally to three for the night and 11 for the season.
“He is a spectacular boy,” beamed Internacional coach Diego Aguirre after Alberto broke a lean spell in stunning style, via Globo Esporte.
“(He’s) a player with a big future.
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“Yuri was being criticised for not scoring (in recent games). But we have to remember he is just a boy. He’s only 20 years old. There’s a lot of pressure and responsibility on his back.
“When he got those three goals, I said he deserved it and it had to be the beginning of many more goals.
“Yuri will improve a lot and become a spectacular striker at Inter. I am very happy, he is a very good boy.”
According to Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal face competition from Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and others, with Alberto’s price tag soaring to £15 million.
Consistency continues to elude him for now but more displays like Sunday’s at Flamengo and someone’s bound to take the plunge soon enough.
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