Arsenal Makes £25.5m Bid for Benfica’s Marcos Leonardo Amidst Striking Reinforcement Talks

In a bid to bolster their attacking prowess, Arsenal have reportedly initiated negotiations with Benfica, tabling a €30 million (£25.5 million) offer for Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo.

Arsenal Goes Top of the Premier League

The Gunners, who refrained from significant winter signings due to concerns over Financial Fair Play regulations, are now actively seeking reinforcements for their frontline.

Despite their substantial summer expenditure exceeding £200 million, Arsenal have opted to pursue additional firepower to sustain their recent goal-scoring spree.

Under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu, Arsenal’s decision to maintain faith in their existing squad has yielded positive results.

The North London outfit has clinched victory in all their Premier League fixtures in 2024, amassing a staggering 33 goals in total, with an average of over four goals per match.

This impressive run includes emphatic away triumphs against Sheffield United and West Ham United, as well as a crucial 2-1 win over Brentford, propelling Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League table.

Arteta reiterated his commitment to long-term planning ahead of the summer transfer window, emphasizing that Arsenal’s current form won’t sway their recruitment strategy. However, the Gunners remain intent on securing a prominent number nine to enhance their attacking options.

Also Read: Controversy Surrounds Kai Havertz’s Non-Sending Off in Arsenal’s Win Over Brentford

Arsenal in Search of a Striker in the Name of Marcos Leonardo

While prime targets such as Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen could command hefty fees exceeding £100 million, Arsenal has reportedly turned their attention to Marcos Leonardo.

The 20-year-old Brazilian prodigy, who honed his skills in the youth setup of Santos before joining Benfica for £15.3 million in January, has enjoyed a swift adaptation to Portuguese football.

Leonardo has notched four goals in his initial seven appearances in the Primeira Liga, showcasing his scoring prowess and versatility.

Additionally, Leonardo’s impressive showing at the 2023 Under-20 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with five goals, has attracted interest from several European giants.

Despite being under contract with Benfica for another five years, Arsenal’s bid for Leonardo signals their determination to secure his services. Manchester United is also rumoured to be monitoring the Brazilian as they seek replacements for Anthony Martial.

While Arsenal currently relies on Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus as their primary striking options, the potential addition of Leonardo could inject further depth and quality into their attacking lineup.

Moreover, the emergence of Kai Havertz as a prolific goal scorer has propelled Arsenal’s title aspirations, as evidenced by his crucial goal against Brentford that propelled the Gunners to the top of the Premier League standings.