Arsenal are becoming a top choice for the best young players coming out of South America. After seeing how well their previous Brazilian signings settled in, the recruitment team at the Emirates now focuses on finding technical players early who fit Mikel Arteta’s tactics.
This approach is all about snapping up talent before their price tags become too high for most European clubs. While the first team fights for major trophies at home and in Europe, the scouting department is always working in the background to build squad depth and keep the club at this high level.
Detailed Transfer Report on Lucca Marques
Recent reports suggest that Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Lucca Marques, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder at São Paulo. The North London club are getting ready with a formal bid for the summer window as they hope to beat several European rivals to the deal. Marques is already a big name in Brazil, especially after becoming the youngest player in São Paulo’s history to score in the Copa Libertadores. He can play as a central playmaker or out wide, and that kind of versatility is exactly what Arsenal’s scouts are looking for.
However, the Gunners aren’t the only ones interested; Borussia Dortmund are also keen on the teenager. The German club have a great track record with young players, which make them a real threat to Arsenal in a bidding war. In the 2025/26 season, Marques has played about 8 games, taking 5 shots and keeping a passing accuracy of nearly 70% while moving between the São Paulo senior team and the under-20s. He’s the kind of player who uses tight control and a quick burst of pace to break through defences.
Do Arsenal truly require Lucca Marques for the 2026/27 season?
The 18-year-old Brazilian youth international clearly has talent, but he’s still a work in progress. His main strengths are his dribbling skills and his ability to create chances in tight spots, though his lack of height and inconsistent final ball are obvious downsides for a tough league like the Premier League. Honestly, Arsenal don’t need him for the starting lineup right away, since the squad is already stacked with attacking midfielders and wingers.
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In my view, the club will probably see this as a long-term project rather than a starter for next season. I think a summer move will happen, but sending him back to Brazil on loan or to a developing club in Europe would make the most sense for his career. Arsenal should only sign him if they plan to bring him along slowly, as throwing him straight into the first team could hold him back, given how much pressure there is at the club right now. To be realistic, he’s a talent for 2028, not 2026.
