Arsenal have been linked again with Brazilian teenager Eduardo Conceição after reports in Brazil claimed his representatives held a meeting in London this week, prompting questions over whether the club were involved.
According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, the 16-year-old attacking midfielder, who plays in the academy of Palmeiras, has attracted renewed attention from Europe after signing his first professional contract on 10 January.
Nicola reports that Conceição’s camp met with a Premier League club in London on Wednesday, although he stresses there is no official confirmation of a move at this stage.
The identity of the English club involved has not been disclosed, but Nicola notes that Arsenal are the only Premier League side previously linked to Conceição in Brazilian reporting.
He adds that the north London club had shown interest in the player in the past, which is why their name has resurfaced in connection with the London meeting. There has been no confirmation from Arsenal or Palmeiras that talks took place directly with either club.
Conceição is regarded as one of Palmeiras’ standout youth prospects and has already been playing well above his age group. He has featured in the Brasileirão Sub-17 at 15 and the Copinha at 16, drawing widespread attention after a 9-0 Copinha win over Batalhão, in which he scored four goals and provided two assists. He operates mainly as an attacking midfielder or left-sided winger and is known for close control, creativity and his one-on-one ability.
His new contract includes a release clause of €100m, around £86m, with Palmeiras retaining 80 per cent of the economic rights to any future sale according to Sport Witness. Club president Leila Pereira is reported to believe Conceição could follow the path of recent high-profile departures such as Estevão, sold to Chelsea, and Endrick, now at Real Madrid.
Endrick’s father, Douglas de Sousa Silva Ramos, also acts as Conceição’s agent.
Interest from Europe is already growing. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been reported as monitoring him closely, with Barcelona sporting director Deco said to be personally involved.
Other reports in Spain and Brazil have listed Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Napoli among clubs tracking him as a long-term target.
For now, the situation appears to be one of early positioning rather than a live negotiation. While Brazilian reporting points to a London meeting involving Conceição’s representatives, there is no confirmation that Arsenal were directly involved, only that they remain the English club most consistently linked with the player to date.