Everything you need to know about Arsenal target Marquinhos

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal for Sao Paulo’s Marquinhos, who looks set to become their first signing of the summer.

According to Goal, Arsenal have been holding extensive talks with the Brazilian side and will pay a fee in the region of £3million for Marquinhos.

We’ve brought you the lowdown on the talented 19-year-old.

Born in Brazil in April 2003, Marquinhos joined boyhood club Sao Paulo and worked his way through their academy.

He impressed manager Hernan Crespo and made his first-team debut at the age of 18 in July 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over EC Bahia.

Crespo then surprised everyone by handing Marquinhos his first start for the club in the Copa Libertadores last-16 second leg against Racing Club.

The Brazil Under-17 international repaid his manager’s faith by registering a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win, becoming the youngest player to score for Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores.

He was also a similar age to Carlos Tevez and Alexis Sanchez when they scored their first goal in the prestigious competition.

Marquinhos missed their quarter-final defeat to Palmeiras due to an injury problem but finished his debut season with 24 appearances in all competitions.

He’s made another 15 appearances in 2022 and recently scored his first goal in the Copa Sudamericana, South America‘s secondary club football tournament. 

Overall, the 19-year-old has registered four goals and three assists in 39 first-team appearances, but he started on the bench for 30 of those games.

Despite Marquinhos signing a five-year deal with Sao Paulo in 2019, FIFA have refused to accept it as he was just 16 when he put pen to paper. The contract is subsequently valid for just three years and Marquinhos has