Arsenal are in ongoing discussions with Brazilian side Cruzeiro over an initial loan for Marquinhos with an obligation to buy, according to a report.
Ryan Taylor reports for the Mirror that talk of an agreement for Marquinhos to join Cruzeiro on loan with an obligation to buy is premature, but Arsenal are indeed in talks with the Brazilian club over such a move.
Taylor adds that any fee Arsenal receive is likely to be minimal, but the two clubs remain in discussions over a potential loan transfer.
Marquinhos’ 2024 campaign came to an end in December after he completed his year-long loan to Fluminense.
That deal also included an option to buy, raising the possibility that the winger could commit his long-term future to the Brazilian club. But the move began to look increasingly unlikely as the season went on.
Reports in early December suggested Fluminense had made the decision not to buy the 21-year-old, and the player then seemingly confirmed as much with an Instagram farewell to the club.
“A year of evolution and great personal and professional learning,” Marquinhos said. “It was an honor for me to wear this shirt, at Fluminense. Head on to the new challenges ahead!”
Marquinhos’ future is now up in the air, but it looks like he could be set to return to his home country again in 2025.
The winger made 29 appearances for Fluminense this season, notching a couple of goals and a couple of assists. He spent a large portion of his spell playing out of position at right-back due to various injuries in the squad.
With any luck, his move to Cruzeiro will go through and he’ll have a more consistent role in his preferred position at his new club.
The 21-year-old cost Arsenal €3.5m in 2022 and has scored one goal, with one assist, in six appearances for the first team. His Arsenal contract runs until 2027.