Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar has a history of signing players from his home nation of Brazil and he could look to repeat that transfer strategy.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos have all been signed by Edu in the past three years as the Gunners built a Brazilian core to Mikel Arteta's team. Ex-Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva has lauded Martinelli and Edu in the past, highlighting how his former club have got things right on and off the pitch.
Palmeiras starlet Endrick Felipe looks to be Brazil's next big talent after being dubbed the 'next Neymar' and has been linked with big money moves to both the Gunners and Chelsea. Jesus has been full of praise for the progress of Endrick, describing the teenager as 'a phenomenon' with Palmeiras thought to have slapped a £50million price tag on their prized asset.
READ MORE: Former Arsenal star praises Gabriel Martinelli and backs Edu to repeat huge transfer trick
Arsenal's £45million summer signing and former Palmeiras striker Jesus spoke to ESPN and discussed Endrick's talent saying, "I’ve been following Endrick a lot. During the time I was training at the Academy when I was coming back from injury, Zé Roberto introduced us.
“Then I saw him on the field… Wow, he’s a star! A phenomenon! He’s 16 now, right? I, with 15 years, was in the floodplain, he is in the professional."
As reported earlier this year by football.london, Endrick’s advisor, Frederico Pena, is chief executive of TFM, the same agency that works with Arsenal star Martinelli. This could hand the Gunners a major advantage should they look to pursue a deal for the talented teenager as Edu will have already conducted business with him before.
Arsenal's technical director proved with Jesus' signing that he is willing to put in the hard yards to secure a deal later down the line and is able to convince players on moving to the Emirates Stadium and benefit the ongoing project.
Ex-Gunners midfielder Gilberto Silva has tipped Edu to achieve success in the transfer market once again and sign Endrick ahead of Chelsea and other top European clubs that hold an interest in the 16-year-old.
Gilberto said: "We know the importance in football of being well connected, to people, clubs, sporting directors, presidents of the club, this is how things happen. But there is big competition to get the best players, from the best leagues.
"For Palmeiras, they are going to receive a lot of calls from many clubs, the best clubs in the world to try and bring him to them. It is a tough time for the player, honestly.
"Sometimes they are loads of messages, loads of opportunities, and it can be very difficult to make decisions. It is important for the people around him to give him the right advice together with the family, to let them make the right decision. If at some point Arsenal did manage to bring the player, they will be getting a very good player."
Endrick became the youngest player in Palmeiras’ history when he made his professional debut for the club earlier this month and has already scored five goals in four games for Brazil’s under-16 side. Edu will be hoping he can bring the 'next Neymar' to the Emirates Stadium as his work behind the scenes continues to reshape and improve Mikel Arteta's team.
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