When Edu arrived at Arsenal the expectation was that suddenly swathes of Brazilian players would begin to arrive at the north London side and whilst some arrived, it was far from the scouting masterclass many predicted.
Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal in the same summer as Edu however this was a deal put in place by those at the club prior to the technical director’s arrival. Arsenal also signed David Luiz that window and extended the defender’s deal in the following summer when Willian arrived. However, these experienced players failed to impress, and both have since left.
Arsenal under Mikel Arteta has been a side moving in the direction of youth. Edu oversaw the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer of 2020, but the following mid-year transfer window saw six signings come in, none of whom were Brazilian.
However, that could soon change. Reports suggest that Arsenal have identified a young Brazilian winger that could become Edu’s first move for a prodigy from his homeland.
Brazilian outlet UOL have credited Arsenal with an interest in Atletico Mineiro’s 17-year-old winger Sávio.
Still yet to score or record an assist, Sávio is only just breaking into the scene for the Brazilian side. He has made 21 appearances and his first came before his seventeenth birthday.
Itatiaia spoke to the winger’s agent, Juliano Rodrigues, who confirmed that whilst Arsenal and fellow Brazilian side Red Bull Bragatino have interest it is purely speculation at the present moment.
“There’s just nothing official at the moment; just speculation. But there’s interest,” he said.
Were Arsenal to sign the player, his start to life at the club would likely begin in the under 23s side. However, the future of the player would have in mind the winger being the long-term replacement for one of the current senior wingers.
Nicolas Pepe continues to struggle at the club with Bukayo Saka establishing himself as the first-choice right-winger. Martinelli along with Emile Smith-Rowe have become Mikel Arteta’s go-to wide players over the Ivorian in the pecking order also.
It was understood by football.london that Pepe would consider his options this winter were his situation not to improve. Currently away with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations, Saka scored against the league champions Manchester City and impressed in a counter-style role at Anfield when Arsenal were down to ten men.
Pepe will return after the AFCON with his place still taken and, if it is not this winter, he could opt to find a route to more regular game time in the summer.
This may come too soon for Sávio if Arsenal were to acquire the teenager. However, it would remove a £72 million obstacle from his route into the first-team squad. Bearing in mind any additional signings made by the club.
A player that only those with their eyes close to Brazilian football may be aware of right now, but it appears that Arsenal, and Edu in particular, are looking closer to the recruiter’s homeland for talent.
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