Arsenal are willing to bid hard to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian ahead of Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo (page 6).

Arsenal are willing to bid hard to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian ahead of Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo (page 6).

The 16-year-old has made just one senior club appearance, but he has already been described as one of the best talents in South America.

Estevao won’t be allowed to move to Europe until the summer of 2025 when he turns 18, but this has not stopped speculation over his future.

Mundo Deportivo claim that the Gunners are one of the clubs ‘willing to bid hard’ for the wonderkid, who has a €60 million release clause in his deal.

However, Estevao has a clear preference to move to Barcelona. The La Liga giants are also keen, but they are in a difficult financial situation as of now.

Arsenal can make a statement by securing Estevao deal

Back in December 2022, Real Madrid reached an agreement to land Endrick from Palmeiras. The teenager will join them after he turns 18 next summer.

Estevao is said to possess similar potential as Endrick. He recently starred for Palmeiras’ Under-20 side at the Copinha tournament with four goals and two assists from five outings.

Aside from his goal contributions, the right winger won a stunning 76 per cent of his dribbles alongside 45 per cent of his duels. He made an average of 2.8 key passes per game.

Estevao has only played 12 minutes of senior football thus far, but we should see plenty of him with Palmeiras until the summer of 2025 before he makes the move to Europe.

Barcelona can’t afford him at the moment with their Financial Fair Play issues with La Liga. Arsenal are not in a similar boat, but they have other priorities with the first-team for now.

Despite this, the Gunners should try their utmost to lure the teenager ahead of Barcelona. It won’t be easy to do, but the club can make a huge statement by striking a future deal.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com