Leonardo was widely regarded as one of the best prospects in South America heading into the 2024 transfer window and a host of clubs were keen on sealing his signature.
West Ham United held talks but their hierarchy could not agree to move forward, but HITC can also reveal that Arsenal were ready to move.
Sources have confirmed that Arsenal’s sporting director Edu is a huge admirer of Leonardo and held extensive talks with the club’s recruitment team and senior management about a deal for the 20-year-old.
Benfica move
However, crucially Arsenal and Edu did not believe that Leonardo – despite Santos looking to sell – would move in January and therefore opted to wait, but then Benfica made their move.
Edu was informed of the impending deal with Benfica had tied up the move before Arsenal, or anyone else in Europe, could react.
Going into January, and as HITC reported, Arsenal’s priority was potentially adding to their defence, or midfield – if they allowed someone like Thomas Partey to move on. But in the end The Gunners did not business in the window.
They were linked with a possible move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney but with an £80million that deal never looked likely to happen.
More strikers
Many on-lookers seem to believe that Arsenal did need more striking options going into the last half of the season and now it transpires they would have been willing to do business in the shape of Leonardo.
HITC understands that Arsenal would have had no problem in agreeing to match the €18.5million deal (£15.8m) Benfica agreed for Leonardo – but the time-frame was not in place for them to make their move.
Since moving to Portugal, Leonardo is showing real early signs of promise as he has scored three goals in his first four games for the club.
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