Club official says Arsenal-linked £26m Brazilian may have to be sold to make ends meet

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Arsenal may just have been handed a huge boost in their reported pursuit of Gabriel Veron as Palmeiras managing director Cicero Souza suggested the prodigy may have to be sold to make ends meet.

According to Yahoo Brasil, the Gunners are keeping tabs on the 17-year-old attacker, while Premier League rivals Everton previously saw a £12million bid for him turned down.

Veron, who was voted best player at the recent FIFA Under-17 World Cup, is also said to be in Barcelona’s sights.

As mentioned in the Evening Standard, the youngster has recently broken into the Palmeiras first team, scoring two goals in four appearances to date since his debut in November last year.

At international level, Veron scored three goals as Brazil lifted the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup last September, and was awarded the Golden Ball.

Ideally, Palmeiras would hang onto the talented teenager, but given the financial uncertainty caused by the football shutdown amid the global health crisis, this may not be possible.

“I think that the imminent need for a sale, whether it be from Veron or any other player, can only be done according to an evaluation in a month and a half, two months from now, when we will be more certain of what is to come,” Souza told ESPN.

“When football returns, how long will it take to have a box office again? How long will the gates be closed? We still don’t know. Perhaps there is a need for the sale (of Veron).”

TBR View:

Veron is youngster of the highest calibre, a threat in front of goal, a superb provider of assists and a wonderful dribbler, with the potential to become his nation’s next superstar.

With Edu in their boardroom ranks, Arsenal have increasingly been looking to the Brazilian market in recent months, so one would think the Gunners stand a good chance.

While a reported £26million price tag appears a bit steep for a 17-year-old, his parent club’s financial uncertainty could perhaps lead to a reduction in value, maybe even closer to what Everton have reportedly bid.