Arsenal tried to sign Palmeiras star Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos in recent months, according to Spanish sports paper Sport.

The 18-year-old centre-forward has been touted as the next major talent to emerge from Palmeiras, a club which has become synonymous with developing some of the finest young prospects in Brazilian football.

The Gunners, whose sporting director Edu Gaspar has often tapped into his connections in Brazil, attempted to secure Luighi before Palmeiras acted to protect their position and show their faith in the youngster.

Palmeiras offered the teenager a new deal that includes a release clause of €80m, underlining their determination to keep hold of their young star for the immediate future despite growing European interest. That contract was signed on July 1st.

Palmeiras have gained a reputation as a superb source of talent in recent years, under the guidance of academy coordinator João Paulo Sampaio. The club has produced notable names like Endrick, also linked with Arsenal, who joined Real Madrid in a deal potentially worth €72m, and Estevao ‘Messinho’, who will head to Chelsea next year in a transaction totalling up to €65m.

Now, Luighi is considered the next bright prospect to follow in these footsteps.

Standing at 1.82m, Luighi has earned praise for more than just his physical attributes and goalscoring ability. His mobility, technical ability, and capacity to operate as a winger have set him apart, with Palmeiras confident enough in his talent to eschew bringing in a new striker for the January window, even as Gabigol prepares to leave Flamengo.

Luighi will instead compete with Argentinian forward Flaco López, who boasts 21 goals and six assists in 2024.

Luighi has already debuted for Palmeiras’ first team this season, featuring in three matches. He made an immediate impact by scoring a crucial equaliser against Flamengo at the Maracanã, levelling the game at 1-1 in the 85th minute. The moment not only demonstrated his goalscoring prowess but also his ability to perform under pressure.

Insiders at Palmeiras have even suggested that Luighi possesses better physical and technical attributes than Endrick

The young striker’s performances have caught the eye of several European scouts, Arsenal’s included. Sport indicates that the Gunners made a serious attempt to ‘close down’ a deal for Luighi recently, although they fell short as Palmeiras quickly responded to secure their rising talent.

The transfer attempt underscores Arsenal’s ongoing strategy of targeting promising young talent from South America, leveraging Edu Gaspar’s extensive connections within the region.

Luighi, who will become a full first-team player for Palmeiras from January, is expected to represent Brazil in the South American Under-20 Championship in Peru next year. Brazil will aim to defend their title, and Luighi’s involvement is likely to be a key component of their attacking line-up.

The Sport report also mentions that this is not the first time Luighi has been linked with a Premier League move. Southampton reportedly made an approach before the recent transfer window closed, but it was also unsuccessful.

Working in Arsenal’s favour, however, is the fact that the 18-year-old is represented by former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, who works with CAA Base agency.

For now Palmeiras have made their stance clear. Luighi will be the club’s primary striker for the upcoming season, a role typically reserved for experienced professionals.

The decision reflects the confidence Palmeiras have in his ability to deliver at the highest level, continuing their tradition of entrusting youth products with prominent responsibilities in the first team.

Arsenal’s failed bid for Luighi highlights the growing competition for young talent in Brazilian football, especially from Premier League clubs. As Palmeiras consolidates its position as the top academy in Brazil, further interest from Europe seems inevitable, and Arsenal may have to dig deeper if they are to eventually secure Luighi’s services.