Arsenal have been linked with a youngster labelled as the "next Lionel Messi" as the club continues to look towards the future of the squad. GOAL Brazil reports that the Gunners are following the progress of 15-year-old Palmeiras striker Estevao Willian.
The youngster has been affectionately dubbed "Messinho" or "Little Messi" in Portuguese, showing exactly how highly he is thought of. Messinho could be one of a number of successful youth candidates to leave Palmeiras, with striker Endrick the latest to be subject of a huge bid from some of the world's biggest clubs.
For the Gunners, making a move for Willian as the next one off the block will be met with competition as the likes of Barcelona and PSG are also monitoring a switch - though he cannot join until 2025 due to international law surrounding the age at which players can transfer. Should they manage to beat their competition to land Messinho, it could see the Brazilian follow the footsteps of another successful signing at the Emirates Stadium.
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That is in reference to the transfer trick surrounding Gabriel Martinelli, with the North London club able to make an early deal for the youngster from Brazil. At 21-years-old, his rise to early stardom has been staggering at Arsenal, becoming a first-team star on the left flank.
This season has been a particularly impressive one for Martinelli, who has added end product to his tricky skillset and even earned a call-up to the Brazil national team for the World Cup.
"I’m so happy that I took my chance when I got it," Martinelli told the Players Tribune on his opportunity at Arsenal. "I really love this club. The squad is like a big family. We all have so much respect for each other."
It's a glowing review of the club from one of its shining stars and serves as an example to Messinho in particular of what could be should he make the move to the Emirates Stadium at some point in the future.
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