Arsenal’s £3m summer move slammed as "absurd" but deal hasn’t gone through yet

Arsenal are set to sign talented Brazilian teenager Marquinhos for a mere £3million this summer – a deal which has been labelled "absurd" and a "scandal" back in his homeland.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire to reinforce his ranks in the upcoming transfer window and it appears the Spaniard is closing in on a first acquisition. The North Londoners are reportedly pursuing Sao Paulo forward Marquinhos and are expected to exploit a mistake in the 19-year-old's contract in order to snap him up for pittance.

The Brazilian Under-17 international has refused to commit to a new deal with the Brazilian giants, leaving his current club to take what they can for the teenager before he departs for free this summer. And according to a former Selecao international, Arsenal are getting quite the deal.

“This is absurd. This is absurd,” said former national team midfielder Vampeta, discussing the prospect of Marquinhos joining the Gunners for a mere £3m on Jovem Pan Esportes.

“Marquinhos’ business. They’re going to lose Marquinhos to Arsenal for €3m. I don’t know if you remember that I used to say I watched Audax’s academy games, Marquinhos in the under-15… he used to already make the difference.

"I said here on the show, ‘There’s an U-15 at São Paulo, Marquinhos’… Now he’s going to leave on a silver platter.”

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The show's host Thiago Asmar then suggested the forward is worth at least €10-15m before blasting a potential move to the Emirates for such a small fee as a "scandal". As a deal edges ever closer, Marquinhos will reportedly skip Sao Paulo's league match against Cuiaba on Sunday in order to finalise matters.

Despite his tender years, Marquinhos, who is equally adept on either wing, has already amassed 40 senior appearances for the Brazilian outfit, netting four goals and assisting a further three. The teenager's most notable contribution came in the Copa Libertadores last 16 against Racing Club last season, where the forward grabbed himself a goal and an assist.

Should Marquinhos complete a move to the Emirates for a cut-price fee, he could become the first of several Brazilians who may well join Arteta's ranks this summer. The Gunners have been heavily mooted with a move for Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus while they may reignite their interest in Juventus midfielder Arthur.

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