Edu’s blunder may have cost Arsenal £64m as per recent news from Express.co.uk.
In January, Mikel Arteta did not make any new signings for his squad, despite many supporters feeling that the team needed more firepower up top. Both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus struggled to score goals. Edu, the Gunners’ transfer chief, had reportedly targeted former Santos player Marcos Leonardo as a potential addition to bolster the attack. According to HITC, Edu is a ‘huge admirer’ of Marcos Leonardo and would have been willing to match Benfica’s successful £15.8 million bid for him.
However, by the time Benfica’s bid became public knowledge, it was too late for Arsenal to make their own offer. Edu chose to wait, believing that Marcos Leonardo would still be available in the summer. Since joining Benfica, Marcos Leonardo has made a strong start, scoring three goals in just three appearances off the bench, totaling 75 minutes of play. Compared to other potential striker targets, Marcos Leonardo’s price tag is significantly lower; for instance, Brentford is reportedly demanding around £80 million for Ivan Toney, a difference of over £64 million.
Marcos Leonardo was highly regarded during his time at Santos and was considered one of the brightest young talents in South American football. In a crucial 3-1 win over Liverpool, Arsenal’s wide men, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, stepped up to contribute when the central striker failed to find the net. Despite the team’s current position of third in the Premier League table, sitting two points behind league-leaders Liverpool, there are concerns that the decision not to pursue a new frontman in January could have repercussions for Arsenal in the future.
