Arsenal willing to push the boat out for £52m attacker likened to Lionel Messi

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Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Palmeiras prodigy Estevao Willian.

The Gunners are in the race for the 16-year-old talent alongside the likes of Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

As well as Arsenal and Barca, the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also in pursuit, according to football.london.

Put simply, Estevao is a player in demand. And it’s no surprise really, considering how much talent and potential he has shown despite his young age.

Arsenal – or any other suitors – would have to wait until he turns 18 in 2025 before he can join, but the fact there are so many clubs after him shows just what a rising star he is.

The Gunners know the Brazilian market pretty well, and have signed some real gems from the country, including Gabriel Martinelli.

According to MD, Arsenal are keen on signing Estevao and are among the big clubs ‘willing to bid hard’ for one of Brazil’s top talents.

Arsenal will have a fight on their hands as the player apparently favours a move to the Camp Nou, but they seem eager to push the boat out to land him.

Arsenal target Estevao Willian – factfile

As per a prior report from Spanish outlet Sport, Estevao boasts a €60million (£52million) release clause. It remains to be seen whether Barca can trigger this.

Estevao impressed for Brazil at the Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia late last year, registering three goals and three assists from five games.

At club level, the teenager has four goals and two assists from five games for the Under-20s at La Copinha this month.

Estevao has also already made his senior debut for Palmeiras, getting 12 minutes off the bench against Cruzeiro in December.

The youngster has been likened to Lionel Messi by virtue of the nickname “Messinho”.

‘Estevao consistently makes amazing moments happen’, wrote SFTBL.

‘Some are just smart, orthodox moves, others are wacky, outside-of-the-box moves that other players wouldn’t even think of.

‘The crux of his brilliance is that he has the smarts, the technique, and the athleticism to make so many different things just… work.’

Meanwhile, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout has compared him to Angel Di Maria and Takefusa Kubo.

Kulig also gave Estevao a rare 10 out of 10 for potential, expecting him to become truly ‘world-class’.