Arsenal are aiming to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window, and may now use Edu Gaspar’s Brazilian connections to their advantage.
Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director, has ties to Brazilian football as a former international and ex-Corinthians director, and was recently spotted in his home nation amidst links to a number of stars.
Whilst there have been strong links to Andre from Fluminense, another name of interest has now emerged, with Edu personally scouting the player.
With Thomas Partey’s future uncertain, Edu may now look to sign Pablo Maia from Sao Paolo.
Arsenal are interested in Pablo Maia
A report from TEAMtalk has now claimed that Arsenal have an interest in the 21-year-old from Sao Paolo, with Edu himself convinced the defensive midfielder could be a good fit.
“Sources are indicating to TEAMtalk that there is also real interest in defensive midfield player Pablo Maia, 21, from Sao Paulo,” the report stated.
“Maia is a target that does not get talked about as much but sources indicate that Edu has been hot on the case during his rise, making personal checks on his situation, and believes he has the traits to make the step into English football.”
Should Arsenal sign Pablo Maia?
The young midfielder was linked with the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham last year, and a bargain fee of around £9m was initially mooted.
It remains to be seen whether Maia can have an instant impact or is a player that will need to be eased in.
He already has a lot of experience despite his young age, with 114 senior appearances for his side, with seven goals and three assists, but also 27 yellow and two red cards to his name.
At 1.78m tall, he is shorter than Partey, but is a tough tackler who may be able to evolve into a menacing defensive midfielder. If Arsenal struggle to land a main target in midfield in the winter window, he could be a left-field option that Edu can snap up to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options.
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