Palmeiras managing director Cicero Souza admits they may have to sell Gabriel Veron this summer, after links between the 17-year-old and Arsenal.

Speaking on Jorge Nicola’s YouTube channel, Palmeiras managing director Cicero Souza admitted they may need to sell Arsenal-linked Gabriel Veron this summer. However, he added that he doesn’t know if anyone could afford to buy the teenager.

“The fact is that there is no point in covering the sun with a sieve,” Souza said (via ESPN). “Perhaps there is a need for the sale (of Gabriel Veron). But who is going to buy? Is there going to be someone who buys?

“I think that the imminent need for a sale, whether it be Veron or any other player, can only be done according to an evaluation in a month and a half, two months from now, when we will be more certain of what is to come.”

Souza added that as things stand, there are only enquiries for the player. No one is making an official offer just yet, and Palmeiras don’t want to sell if they don’t have to.

“Officially, there are no proposals for him yet. There were polls, people asking for values, etc. But, at the moment, Palmeiras has no interest in getting rid of him.”

This somewhat undermines previous reports that Everton placed a €15m bid for Veron. Although, those claims were accompanied by a line stating that the Palmeiras President “did not even want to open negotiations” at that rate. So it’s possible Souza just didn’t consider it a genuine offer.

ESPN previously claimed Arsenal and Barcelona are showing an interest in Veron. His agent says there were some conversations with clubs at the beginning of the year. However, the coronavirus pandemic brought progress to a halt.

Veron has two goals and an assist in his four senior appearances for Palmeiras so far, despite not making a start for the club yet.

The teenager also shone at the u17 World Cup 2019, scoring three goals and assisting two. He also earned a penalty for an equaliser in the final, which Brazil went on to win.