Arsenal confirm latest summer transfer deal as Marquinhos exit agreed | OneFootball

Gunners targeting a new winger amid ongoing talks over RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko

The Brazilian winger has made a permanent switch to Cruzeiro, the club with whom he has been on loan since the January transfer window.

But Cruzeiro have now opted to sign the 22-year-old on a permanent basis, with Arsenal set to bank around £2.5million from the deal.

“Marquinhos has moved to Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro in a permanent transfer,” Arsenal said in a statement.

“Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Marquinhos for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future. The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”

Arsenal saw off rival interest to sign Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in a £3m deal in the summer of 2022 despite rumours of a pre-contract agreement with Wolves, with the player then scoring on his debut in a Europa League win over FC Zurich.

However, he went on to feature only six times in total for the Gunners at senior level, playing just once in the Premier League before being sent for four successive loan stints away from the Emirates Stadium at Norwich, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruzeiro, where he has netted one goal in 18 appearances so far.

Marquinhos is the second player to be sold by Arsenal so far this summer, with Lazio making Portuguese full-back Nuno Tavares’ loan spell permanent last week.

The Gunners also agreed a mutual early termination of Jorginho’s contract to allow the midfielder to become a free agent and join Flamengo ahead of the Club World Cup, while loanees Raheem Sterling and Neto are returning to parent clubs Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively.

A total of 20 players have been released by Arsenal across their men’s, women’s and youth teams this summer, including Kieran Tierney, who is heading back to Celtic, plus the likes of youngsters Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and brothers Ismail M'Hand and Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand. They are hoping to agree a contract extension with Thomas Partey.

Arsenal want a new winger as part of their ambitious transfer plans for a crucial summer as well as finally looking to seal a statement striker signing amid ongoing talks with RB Leipzig over the £70m-rated Benjamin Sesko, while they are also set to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for a cut-price fee of £5m.