Brazilian winger Marquinhos may be set to return to Arsenal this January.
Arsenal attacker Marquinhos joined French outfit Nantes on a season-long loan deal in the recent summer transfer window.
In allowing the 20-year-old to leave the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis, Mikel Arteta will have been hoping to see the player undergo a Folarin Balogun-esque transformation in Ligue 1.
The USA international striker spent last season on loan from Arsenal with Reims in France. Balogun enjoyed a spectacular campaign, netting 21 times in the French top flight. That season saw his value sky rocket, and the Gunners opted to cash-in in the summer, as Monaco paid £35 million to sign the Arsenal academy product on a permanent basis.
In an ideal world, Marquinhos would have excelled with Nantes to such an extent that he would either return to Arsenal ready to compete for a regular starting berth, or would be a sellable asset who could attract a hefty fee.
The reality, however, has been far less spectacular. Marquinhos has featured just seven times for Nantes so far this season, amounting to less than 150 minutes of top flight football. Across those seven outings, he has contributed just one assist, and failed entirely to find the back of the net.
What next for Arsenal youngster Marquinhos?
According to French publication L’Equipe, Arsenal are now in talks with Nantes to cut Marquinhos’ loan short. The intention is to bring him back to north London this winter.
Marquinhos would be unlikely to feature for Arsenal in the second half of the season should he return to the club this month. Whilst he has made six first team appearances for the north London club since his initial arrival in the summer of 2022, he has not done enough to earn further opportunities in the immediate future.
Instead, sporting director Edu would likely seek to find another temporary home for the Brazil under-23 international. Or, the Gunners may seek to cut their losses on the youngster and move him on permanently if a viable suitor comes forward.
In any case, Arsenal will be disappointed that Marquinhos has not been able to make more of his time with Nantes. As a left-footed right-winger, the player fits the profile to serve as Bukayo Saka’s understudy, which represents a current vacancy in the Arsenal squad. However, Marquinhos does not appear to be of the standard required to take up that mantle.
Arteta may yet use this January transfer window to bring in a new player who can offer support and competition for minutes to Saka.
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