Arsenal are set to let Marquinhos leave the club on loan for the upcoming campaign.
According to Metro, Arsenal have agreed to send Marquinhos on loan to Nantes in Ligue 1. The 20-year-old winger will get the chance to show his quality in the top flight of French football.
Marquinhos arrived at the Emirates Stadium last summer in a £3 million deal from Sao Paolo. The Gunners’ technical director, Edu, said at the time that the youngster was “a player for the future.” Mikel Arteta has since stated that Marquinhos is “a player that is very popular” and has “earned the respect and admiration of everybody here,” as quoted by Arseblog News.
The Brazilian did get a few chances to play under Arteta in the first half of last season. He made his debut in a Europa League group stage clash against Zurich, and contributed with a goal and an assist. However, opportunities were limited before he joined Championship side Norwich City in January.
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Marquinhos made a bright start to life in the second tier, but struggled for consistency. With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Fabio Vieira, and Reiss Nelson ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal, it makes sense for the Brazil under-20 international go elsewhere where he can expect more game time.
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Marquinhos aiming to emulate Balogun
Loan moves to the French league have paid dividends for Arsenal in recent times. Nuno Tavares enjoyed his time with Marseille last season, whilst Folarin Balogun blossomed into one of the most coveted young strikers in Europe during his stint with Reims.
Balogun netted 21 times in Ligue 1 last season, and his stock is now higher than ever. Arsenal are currently seeking to take advantage of that, and have put a £50 million price tag on the USA international.
The ideal scenario would be for Marquinhos to undergo a similar transformation to Balogun whilst he is with Nantes. Then, next summer, Arsenal will be able to choose between integrating him back into the first team or moving him on for a handsome profit.