‘The best thing’: Agent says Arsenal like £50m wonderkid, he wants move

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Premier League giants Arsenal are keen on Atletico Mineiro wonderkid Savio, the Brazilian’s agent Juliano Rodrigues tells Super Esportes. 

Whoever said Jogo Bonito was dead? Well, apart from Stephanie Frappart, that is. 

The Brazilian U23 side who took home gold at the Tokyo Olympics was  chock-full of twinkle-toed Samba starlets who would make Dunga come out in hives.

Antony is tearing the Eredivisie to shreds at Ajax. Bruno Guimaraes is blossoming into one of Europe’s most exciting young playmakers. 

Then there’s Richarlison, Matheus Cunha and Gabriel Martinelli. 

Rodrygo Goes, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr and Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, are all under the age of 25 and yet to hit their peak.

And 17-year-old Savio, all snake hips and swivels, is a player who understands what makes Brazilian football so special. The joy. The fun. The Jogo Bonito. 

Will Brazil wonderkid Savio join Arsenal?

Despite his undoubted potential, however, Savio played just 56 minutes of Serie A football for Atletico Mineiro in 2021. And his agent is determined to find Savio a club who truly appreciate his talents.

“There are these surveys from Red Bull Bragantino and Arsenal, but nothing official. No offer has arrived for Savio,” Rodrigues explains.

“Other clubs in Brazil and Europe have also shown interest, but nothing official yet. 

“He needs to play to evolve. Atletico don’t play him. So the best thing would be a transfer, with Atletico getting part of the rights for a future sale (a sell-on clause).

“This way, Savio will be able to take off in his career, as he is one of the best players of his age in Brazilian football.

“Going out on loan now is not interesting. The ideal (thing) is to leave permanently.”

Comparisons will inevitably be drawn between Savio and Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli was also just 17 when he joined Arsenal from FC Ituano. A few months later, he was being labelled ‘the talent of the century’ after an exhilarating performance against Liverpool. 

The report adds that Savio has a £50 million release clause in his contract for European clubs. Atletico Mineiro will likely sell for far less than that, however.