Arsenal remain in discussions with Brazilian club Cruzeiro over the departure of 21-year-old striker Marquinhos.
Despite rumors that an agreement has already been reached between the parties, sources indicate that the Gunners are still in talks with Cruzeiro over an initial loan deal that would also include an obligation to buy. Marquinhos moved to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2022 when recently departed sporting director Edu beat Wolves to Sao Paulo's highly rated teenage winger, who arrived in a £3 million package.
However, despite the wonderkid's potential, Marquinhos has failed to make the grade in North London and now looks set to return to his homeland following the end of his loan spell at Fluminense.
He made just six first-team appearances for Arsenal and failed to build on his promising debut as he scored and assisted in a 2–1 Europa League win against FC Zurich.
Marquinhos has also been loaned out to Norwich City in the Championship – where he has scored just one goal in 11 games – and French side Nantes respectively. The forward has received valuable game time in Brazil this season, making 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Arsenal are believed to be open to boosting their attacking options in the January transfer window should the right opportunity arise following Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury.
Any compensation the Gunners may receive for Marquinhos is likely to represent a small change compared to the financial figures they will receive for top stars such as Matheus Cunha and Alexander Isak, both of whom are admired by the clubs. Deals for both players this winter look incredibly unlikely at this stage.
Mikel Arteta said earlier this week: “My focus now, honestly, is on the squad: we have to be as competitive as possible and we have a lot of options to do that, and if there is something incredible available and the If the club is willing to do that , we'll have to think about it.”
The prospect of bringing in a foreign player on loan would be interesting for Arsenal, although there is currently no suggestion that they will be among the long list of sides pursuing a move for the out-of-favour PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani. The former Eintracht Frankfurt man will be offered the loan after being told he is free to leave the French giants next month.
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