Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva appears to have talked up the club’s chances of potentially landing Brazilian sensation Endrick in future.
The Gunners are among a throng of high-profile European teams to be linked with Palmeiras’ teenage star, who is widely seen as the next big thing in Brazilian football and has already been dubbed by many as ‘the new Neymar’.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been mentioned in connection with a possible deal for Endrick, who signed a professional contract over the summer before making history with his senior Palmeiras debut aged just 16 earlier this month.
The presence of former Brazil international and Corinthians midfielder Edu at Arsenal as technical director could give them an advantage in the heated battle to sign one of world football’s most exciting young prospects, though Gilberto has warned that competition is fierce.
“We know the importance in football of being well connected, to people, clubs, sporting directors, presidents of the club,” he told Metro. “This is how things happen.
“But there is big competition to get the best players, from the best leagues. For Palmeiras, they are going to receive a lot of calls from many clubs, the best clubs in the world to try and bring him to them.
“It is a tough time for the player, honestly. Sometimes they are loads of messages, loads of opportunities, and it can be very difficult to make decisions. It is important for the people around him to give him the right advice together with the family, to let them make the right decision.
“Let’s see, if some point Arsenal did manage to bring the player, they will be getting a very good player.”
Endrick is not the only Palmeiras talent to have caught the eye at Arsenal, who have also been on the trail of 21-year-old midfielder Danilo over recent months.
Standard Sport understands that the Gunners are also keen on Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka as they look to provide competition for Gabriel.
