When Edu arrived at Arsenal it was thought that the club would look to extend their vision in the transfer market into Brazil to find the most exciting talent.
Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal in the same summer that Edu was brought in, however, it was the former long-term recruitment executive Francis Cagigao that was pivotal in landing the young winger.
Whilst Arsenal have brought in Brazilian players such as David Luiz and Willian, only Gabriel Magalhaes has remained alongside Martinelli. Yet Arsenal could be looking to finally push into Edu’s homeland market in a big way with a move for one of the nation's most exciting talents since the mercurial Neymar Jr.
Palmeiras’ teenage superstar Endrick is a name growing in stature and wonder. Clips of the 15-year-old talent are circulating at an exponential rate as the wonderkid pulls off more footballing feats of brilliance.
According to BBC Sport, Arsenal scouts were in attendance for the quarter-finals of the Copa Sao Paulo to watch Endrick amongst others.
Interestingly, the teenager’s advisor, Frederico Pena, chief executive of TFM, is of the same agency that works with Gabriel Martinelli.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Pena said that the Arsenal man’s path is proving a point of reference for Endrick’s personal development.
"We've got two examples in Vinicius Jr and Martinelli and we talk a lot about them, showing him what their daily routine is like, how they handled adversities and also took care of their bodies," Pena said.
"It was very complicated for both of them to get where they are now. Vinicius went through difficult moments at Real Madrid, where after doing a lot of stuff and it seeming like he'd made it, he found himself out of matchday squads.
"Martinelli, too, may be back starting games again, but he spent almost a year at Arsenal without regular football. So we explain to him that it doesn't matter if you're a top-class player, you'll still have to work twice as hard.
Arsenal will hope that with the existing relationship with Pena and TFM, should they enter discussions regarding a possible deal for Endrick, they would stand a better chance than some of their rivals. It is worth noting Edu's previous work with the Brazilian national side which could prove useful.
Under Mikel Arteta, the club have put an emphasis on giving opportunities to young players and this would certainly be a negotiation tool to convince Endrick of early senior opportunities.
Martinelli’s recent success can be yet another example to point towards. Since his breakthrough, the 20-year-old has been praised by the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Arsenal will be doing everything to keep hold of the former Ituano man.
A talent likened to Neymar however would be an entirely different level of a coup for the Gunners should they beat Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City and Ajax to his signature.
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