Arsenal have been monitoring Palmeiras defender Luis Benedetti for months, but the Brazilian club could send the young player on loan to gain more experience before any move to Europe.
is according to bolavipWho report that Palmeiras are discussing a possible loan for the 19-year-old centre-back to another Brazilian side, Athletico Paranaense. The move is being considered internally as a way to give the defender more consistent playing time.
Benedetti is already in manager Abel Ferreira's senior team. However, strong competition in Palmeiras' defense has limited his opportunities this season.
Loan option emerges in development planning
Bolavip explains that Palmeiras see loans as part of their wider development strategy for young players. The club wants Benedetti to gain regular minutes at a high level.
Negotiations with Athletico continue. The goal is to structure a deal that guarantees the defender's continued participation during the season.
Internally, Palmeiras believes this type of experience can accelerate his development. The hope is that he will return more prepared to compete for a place in the first team.
To date, Benedetti has made 16 appearances for the Palmeiras senior team. He has scored once and has accumulated nearly 1,000 minutes.
European interests still part of the picture
While the loan idea is being discussed, the defender's situation has also attracted interest from Europe. Arsenal are among the clubs Who have followed the centre-back.
Brazilian reports previously claimed the Premier League side had hinted at a possible offer around €10m (£8.6m). Palmeiras refused to start negotiations at that level.
The Brazilian club's stance remains consistent. Benedetti is under contract until 2029 and has a €100m (£86m) release clause.
Our view: Could make sense for loan before PL move
From Arsenal's perspective, waiting may actually be the most logical outcome. Benedetti is still not a regular starter at Palmeiras. This alone suggests that a direct jump into Premier League football at this stage would be premature.
Therefore, the loan to Athletico could be useful for everyone involved. Regular minutes will allow the defender to develop physically and tactically.
If he performs well with more responsibility, his profile can rise rapidly. In that scenario, Arsenal – or other European clubs – would evaluate a more ready player in the near future.
