Arsenal lose Man City transfer battle for Brazilian wonderkid

Arsenal are already making preparations for the upcoming summer window as they aim to plug soon-to-be gaps in their squad, with the forward positions among those under the microscope.

However, the focus for now remains on the centre-forward position, as well as the obvious need to bolster the midfield, with the wide areas considered a less pressing matter.

Even right-back is higher up on the wanted list – with Arsenal exploring the possibility of a move for Torino’s Wilfried Singo – as Mikel Arteta aims to add a smaller number of quality additions when the current campaign draws to a close.

But a lot will depend on the future of Nicolas Pepe. While he’s enjoyed a mini resurgence off the bench in the last two outings, he will enter the final two years of his contract and has never come close to living up to his £72m arrival. With Bukayo Saka in need of reliable cover, wide areas will need bolstering at some stage even if it’s with an eye on the future.

Arsenal lose Savinho transfer battle with Manchester City as Atletico Mineiro wonderkid joins on €6.5m ahead of immediate loan to Troyes

Given the success of Gabriel Martinelli since his signing back in 2019, as well as Edu’s connections, the Brazilian market has been one that the Gunners have explored with links to numerous players in recent windows.

The most recent of those is wonderkid Savinho, who Arsenal have been pursuing for some time, although their efforts appear to have been futile with Goal Brazil reporting that Manchester City have pipped the Gunners to the post.

They report that the deal is done and Savinho will sign on an agreement for €6.5m, with another potential €6m in bonuses. Given his is still raw and only 17 years old it wasn’t expected that he’d join either Arsenal or City’s senior squads immediately, which looks to be the case as he’s due to join French club Troyes on loan in July, who are part of the City Group.

Not a regular starter for Atlético Mineiro, Savinho has nonetheless done enough to attract some of Europe’s big hitters with his dazzling skill, although on this occasion Arsenal will have to miss out on an exciting Brazilian forward.

With Omari Hutchinson continuing to sparkle in the Under-23’s, a loan for him next season where he can get senior minutes could see him eventually take up a spot on the Arsenal bench more regularly. But, if Pepe does leave, that right side will be in desperate need of reinforcing.

Especially if the Champions League beckons.