Arsenal have suffered a huge blow to their interest in signing Marcos Leonardo as SL Benfica are now on the verge of agreeing terms with Santos for the striker’s transfer.
The blow even comes within a day of South American football expert Tim Vickery suggesting Leonardo could be an ‘interesting’ signing for Arsenal. He believes the 20-year-old might not be the finished product but packs a skill set that could fare well with Mikel Arteta’s forwards.
Arsenal have been monitoring Leonardo for months now in view of targeting a transfer from Santos this January. 90min reported in November that the Gunners sent scouts to see him in action. But Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur were also keen.
Benfica are set to beat Arsenal to the transfer of Marcos Leonardo
Yet Leonardo is about to reject a transfer to Arsenal or their Premier League rivals and leave Santos for Benfica. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that the 20-year-old is on course to join As Aguias. The two teams are even finalising the €18m (£16m) transfer.
Talks are at a very advanced stage with only the structure of the add-ons to resolve. Romano also adds that Leonardo could even finalise a transfer to Benfica as soon as this Wednesday. It will be his first transfer away from Santos since the Itapetinga native joined their academy.
Seeing Leonardo sign for Benfica will come as a huge blow for Arsenal amid their interest in his transfer from Santos. It could also see the Gunners have to pay an increased asking price in the future if the Emirates Stadium natives ever look to revisit their interest in his transfer.
Arsenal are already facing that now with Viktor Gyokeres, who left Coventry City to sign for Sporting Lisbon last July. The Sky Blues accepted €20m (£17.5m), plus €4m (£3.5m) in add-ons, for the striker. But Correio da Manha claims he will now cost Arsenal €100m (£86.5m).
Tim Vickery feels the Santos striker could be ‘interesting’ for Arsenal
Leonardo has captured the interest of Arsenal, Benfica and a host of Europe’s top teams as the silver lining of Santos’ season in 2023. The Peixe endured relegation from the Brazilian Serie A last year. But the Brazil U23 gem scored 13 goals and assisted two over 31 matches.
He even scored a total of 21 goals and assisted four in 49 matches across all competitions in 2023. Leonardo’s form took his career first-team total with Santos to 54 goals and 11 assists in 168 games. The 5 ft 8 talent also impressed Vickery with his work inside the penalty area.
“One I’m being told Arsenal are looking at is Santos striker Marcos Leonardo,” Vickery told Sky Sports. “He had a very good Under-20 World Cup a few months back.
“Santos have just been relegated. What is interesting about him is that they’d have been relegated much sooner had it not been for his goals. He’s been scoring in a losing cause.
“He’s another one who is very raw and he is a penalty-area operator. Not a target-man operator but a bit like Romario. He’s very good in restricted space and doesn’t offer you a great deal outside the penalty area.
“His link-up play still leaves a lot to be desired. But it could be interesting for Arsenal because his skill set could fit in with the other forwards they have. There will be competition for him from others. Benfica are getting very interested, as well.”
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