Arsenal want to sign £20m goal machine likened to Romario

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Arsenal have been linked with a 20-year-old forward who South American football expert Tim Vickery has compared to Brazil legend Romario.

The Gunners have reportedly set their sights on Santos talent Marcos Leonardo, one of South America’s most highly-rated youngsters.

Arsenal could do with bolstering their attacking ranks in the January window. A target-man would be a great shout for a Gunners side currently lacking a focal point in attack.

The north Londoners are said to be keen on the likes of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen, but other names – such as Leonardo – are doing the rounds too.

‘Could be interesting for Arsenal’

Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports, says he has been told that Arsenal are looking at the 20-year-old, and provided an analysis of the player’s style of play and potential.

“One I’m being told Arsenal are looking at is Santos striker Marcos Leonardo,” said Vickery. “He had a very good Under-20 World Cup a few months back.

“Santos have just been relegated. What’s interesting about him is that they’d have been relegated much sooner had it not been for his goals.

“He’s been scoring goals in a losing cause. He is another one who is very raw and he is a penalty-area operator.

“Not a target-man operator but a bit like Romario. He’s very good in restricted space and doesn’t offer you a great deal outside the penalty area.

“His link-up play still leaves a lot to be desired, but it could be interesting for Arsenal because his skill set could fit in with the other forwards they have.

“There will be competition for him from others. Benfica are getting very interested as well.”

In terms of price tag, Steve Kay recently suggested on KS1TV that Arsenal would be looking at up to £20million if they wanted Leonardo.

Marcos Leonardo a top talent but Arsenal need a first-team ready target man first and foremost – TBR View

Arsenal have great knowledge of the Brazilian market and they have several top players from the country in their ranks already.

Aside from the signings who have come directly from Brazil, you also have the more established Brazilians players who joined from European leagues, like Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes.

If Leonardo were to move to Arsenal, he’d have a great support network of fellow countrymen and Portuguese speakers.

And the Gunners would be getting a top talent for a relatively modest price tag.

At just 20 years of age, he already has 168 appearances for Santos under his belt, along with 54 goals and 11 assists. In 2023, he registered 21 goals and four assists in 49 outings.

At the same time, Leonardo would need some time to get up to speed in the Premier League, and the fact he’s not a conventional target man may suggest he’s not what Arsenal need right now.

He’d certainly be one for the future, but the Gunners definitely need someone like Ivan Toney to go straight into the starting XI and help make the difference in the league and cups.