Arsenal have had an “initial” £15m offer offer “rejected” by Flamengo for Matheus Franca, according to journalist Artur Petrosyan.
The Gunners are not the only Premier League club interested in the player, though, with Petrosyan claiming that Newcastle are also keen on the Brazilian:
Arsenal’s initial offer of £15m + add-ons for Matheus Franca from Flamengo has been rejected. Newcastle have also expressed interest in the 23-year-old Brazilian.
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) May 27, 2023
Franca is actually 19, not 23, so that does put a slight question mark on Petrosyan’s reporting, considering he doesn’t even get the midfielder’s age right.
It is still a transfer that Arsenal fans should keep an eye on, though. Franca came through the same academy as Vinicius Jnr and, while he may not possess the same ability as the Real Madrid star, many believe that he will get a move to Europe in the not-too-distant future.
What else do Arsenal fans need to know about Franca?
The teenager made his senior debut for Flamengo against Santos in December 2021 and he has gone on to make over 50 appearances for the Brazilian club.
Last year, France helped his team win the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Libertadores, although he only made brief cameos in both competitions.
The 19-year-old can be deployed as a centre-forward or a winger but his preferred position is as a support striker.