Arsenal are not interested in Sao Paulo’s Pablo Maia despite reports to the contrary, according to new claims in the Brazilian media.

Reports in the media over the last couple of days had suggested that Arsenal were interested in Pablo Maia of Sao Paulo, with Edu Gaspar continuing to focus on the Brazilian market and the club insisting they wouldn’t let Maia leave on the cheap.

But Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola claims Arsenal aren’t interested in the midfielder, despite what the English media are saying.

Nicola reports that the player’s agent has insisted Arsenal haven’t even made a single enquiry about his client.

Agents can’t always be trusted to report honestly on interest in their clients, as they’re incentivised to play up the links and spark bidding wars.

But that’s arguably a good reason to believe an agent when they claim there’s nothing going on.

Maia’s agent would probably be better served pretending to have had contact with Arsenal, to encourage Sao Paulo and any clubs with a genuine interest in a transfer to hurry up and make the player an offer.

If the agent is saying there hasn’t been any contact, he’s probably telling the truth.

21-year-old Maia has made 58 appearances for Sao Paulo this year, 51 of them starts. There’s little doubting his value to his current side.