Arsenal have confirmed the permanent departure of Brazilian winger Marquinhos to Cruzeiro, a move that will see the Gunners bank £2.5 million ($3.3m) and retain a potential financial interest in the player’s future.
The 22-year-old had joined the Brazilian Serie A side on loan at the start of the 2025 calendar year, with the original agreement running until December. The deal included an option to buy, opening the door for a permanent switch should both clubs reach a final agreement.
Although Cruzeiro initially hesitated to trigger the clause, partly due to a managerial change, subsequent negotiations between the two clubs paved the way for the transfer to be completed.
The sticking point reportedly centred on the preferred currency of payment, with Cruzeiro favouring US dollars over euros due to exchange rate advantages. Once that was settled, the deal was finalised.
Marquinhos, who has now signed with Cruzeiro until 2028, will wear the number 7 shirt after previously donning number 17 during his loan spell. He was briefly excluded from the matchday squad during the final stages of the transfer talks but returned to the team on June 1.
What are the details of the deal?
For Arsenal, the £2.5 million ($3.3m) fee offers a modest return on the player they signed from São Paulo in 2022. The Gunners have also inserted a sell-on clause into the deal, meaning they will benefit should Cruzeiro move him on for a higher fee in the future.
Marquinhos made just six appearances for Arsenal’s senior side, scoring once and registering one assist. Despite a promising debut in the Europa League, he struggled to establish himself during subsequent loan spells at Norwich City and Nantes, making a permanent move away from north London likely.
While his time in England may not have fulfilled early expectations, the Gunners will hope that a successful stint back in Brazil can still deliver future financial upside.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's priority forward target for this summer remains Benjamin Sesko, Sporting News understands.
Talks have taken place with the player’s representatives over personal terms, though no formal offer to the Bundesliga side has been made as of yet.
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