Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on a Brazilian teenager who has a “technical” yet tough style on the pitch.
The Gunners famously struck gold when they signed Gabriel Martinelli from Brazil in 2019, and they’re always open to pulling off a similar transfer masterstroke.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are now showing interest in on-loan Red Bull Bragantino defender Douglas Mendes.
The report claims Gunners chief Edu is an admirer of the 19-year-old, who is on the books at Red Bull Salzburg.
Mendes made his debut in Brazil’s Serie B with Ponte Preta before moving to the Red Bull stable with Bragantino.
He subsequently moved on loan to Liefering in Austria’s second tier and then completed a permanent switch to Red Bull Salzburg in July 2023, though he stayed put on loan at the former.
In January, Mendes completed a switch back to Bragantino until the end of 2024. To date, he has made four appearances for them this term.
It’s worth noting that Football Transfers claims a deal for Arsenal would be ‘impossible’ at this moment in time, but they stress that it shouldn’t be ‘too alarming’ for Gunners fans.
Mendes is currently not eligible for a UK work permit. However, this could change depending on how much first-team experience he accrues at Bragantino.
What could Arsenal fans expect from Douglas Mendes?
Mendes is admittedly still quite raw as a player, He has just 24 career competitive outings to his name.
However, he’s certainly a player with great potential, as evidenced by the fact the Red Bull stable snapped him up, as well as his 10 caps for Brazil’s Under-20s.
At 6ft 2in, he’s a tall and physically built player, which is crucial in the Premier League. And his attitude would certainly suit the English top flight.
“Defenders have to have a bad face, show more respect,” he told the Bragantino website in 2022.
“I don’t like giggling, chatting with the opposing player. Off the field, I talk, I joke. Inside, everyone does their own thing.”
Mendes also said: “I have a more technical playing style, I don’t like kicking, I like the pass between lines… I know I have what it takes to play.”
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