Fabrizio Romano claims there is ‘no doubt’ that Arsenal target will move in 2024

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, who is now certain to leave Santos in the coming year.

Santos recently suffered their first-ever relegation from the Brazilian top flight, and Leonardo had previously rejected the idea of a move in order to try and help them stay up.

The striker scored 21 times in 49 games for his relegated side, and is attracting interest from top European sides including Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar keeping tabs on the player.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Marcos Leonardo exit strategy

In his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the 20-year-old will definitely be on the move in the coming transfer windows.

“Marcos Leonardo will leave Santos in 2024 for sure, there’s no doubt and it’s not even about the club’s recent relegation; they already decided that months ago,” Romano stated.

“There are many links, every week Leonardo is linked with five or six clubs but it’s still at the early stages with agents meeting clubs. There’s nothing concrete or close with Arsenal so far, despite speculation.”

Why are Arsenal interested in Marcos Leonardo?

Arsenal have been linked with several strikers in the January window, but securing a big name such as Victor Osimhen will not be easy.

Arteta is not short of striking options, but he has been told that another striker would help Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Although Leonardo is young, and has no experience in Europe, his goal record for a struggling side in Brazil should not be overlooked.

However, the young attacker should be considered an option for the future, rather than someone who could come in and have an immediate impact in the title race.

Edu may utilise his Brazilian connections to give Arsenal an advantage in the race for Leonardo, and whilst a deal in the summer may end up being fruitful in the long run, but given that Arsenal may need to prioritise a defender in January, Leonardo may not be the addition they need.

Gabriel Jesus is Arsenal’s first-choice centre-forward, and whilst he has performed well, he has not been clinical, and another option could add goals to the squad.

Eddie Nketiah started the season well, but has now fallen down the pecking order, with no starts in the last five league games, and has also been linked with a January exit.