According to Goal, São Paulo have sold their promising striker Brenner to FC Cincinnati, despite Arsenal allegedly being interested in the forward.
The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Major League Soccer outfit, and leaves São Paulo following a decade at the club.
Brenner emerged from the Brazilian giant’s academy, joining in 2011 and going on to score 24 goals in 56 appearances, including 22 in 44 games this season.
The Daily Mail said that Arsenal were keen on the South American, who had a £45 million release clause in his contract with São Paulo.
However, he has been sold for significantly less due to financial problems.
Goal state that FC Cincinnati have signed the Brazilian wonderkid for an initial $13 million (£9.5 million), in a deal that could rise if add-ons are met.
That is a lot less than his release clause.
It is also a deal that the Gunners surely could’ve afforded.
In our view, with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the club, Brenner would’ve struggled for game time.
However, Mikel Arteta and Edu should’ve signed the youngster, and perhaps loaned him back to São Paulo, or to FC Cincinnati.
That would’ve been better than missing out on Brenner altogether, and for a fee which is almost nothing for a top-six Premier League outfit.
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