Arsenal considered signing Marcos Leonardo from SL Benfica before the summer transfer deadline, with the Brazilian joining Al-Hilal in a deal worth £33 million.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Marcos Leonardo was the subject of interest from Arsenal in the summer transfer window. The Gunners were keen on signing the Brazilian attacking prospect before a move failed to materialise. Eventually, he left SL Benfica to join Al-Hilal in a deal worth £33 million.
Marcos Leonardo and his baffling career trajectory
Marcos Leonardo has shocked the world by ending his short spell with SL Benfica and joining Al-Hilal. The youngster had the world at his feet during his spell with Santos, with the who’s who of European football setting their sights on him before he moved to Benfica in January 2023.
The 21-year-old turned out 24 times for SL Benfica while amassing a solid tally of eight goals and one assist in 547 minutes of game time. However, Leonardo’s time at the fabled Portuguese club has ended, with Al-Hilal securing his services in a deal worth £33 million on the deadline day of the summer transfer window for the Saudi Pro League.
Arsenal mulled over securing Marcos Leonardo’s services before SL Benfica signed him in January. While a winter move did not see the light of day, the North London club considered landing the Brazilian attacking prospect in this summer’s transfer window.
Arsenal considered signing Leonardo
Arsenal’s interest in Marcos Leonardo is understandable. The North London outfit wanted to sign a striker in the summer transfer window, with Kai Havertz the only reliable centre-forward in the first-team squad. In addition, Arsenal sold Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, while Gabriel Jesus has not been prolific during his spell at the Emirates.
So, the former Benfica striker was a viable option for Arsenal. However, recent reports have claimed that Benjamin Sesko was the only realistic striker target for the North London club. The latest update has refuted that, suggesting Arsenal also mulled over signing Leonardo from SL Benfica.
However, the 21-year-old Brazilian attacking sensation has joined Al-Hilal in a deal worth £33 million. It will be interesting to see how Leonardo fares in the Saudi Pro League and if he wants to return to Europe anytime soon.
