標籤: 18yearold

armory Sao Paulo youngster Lucca Marques is being monitored, with Sport Witness sources having previously revealed the Gunners’ strong interest in the 18-year-old.

Our initial report Now its importance is increasing as the player’s profile continues to rise in Brazil. But how does he play, and why is he attracting the attention of Arsenal, a club already equipped with a diverse range of forwards?

Arsenal transfer profile and playing style

Lucca Marques, born in 2007, is one of the standout products of São Paulo’s Cotia academy.

Arsenal transfer target joined at under-11 level and quickly built a reputation for his goal threat. His most productive youth campaign came at under-17 level, when he scored 12 goals in 34 matches.

Since then they have grown rapidly. He played a key role in São Paulo’s Copinha-winning campaign, playing eight matches and starting six. Soon after, he was promoted to the senior team by Luis Zubeldia, the manager at the time.

Standing at 1.72 meters tall, Lucca is a right-footed attacker who prefers to operate on the wings. From either side, he cuts inside while maintaining control on his stronger foot.

He is primarily used on the left, but he is also comfortable switching to the right wing or operating more centrally as an attacking midfielder. That versatility adds another layer to his profile and Arsenal transfer interest.

During his time at senior level, he has often been deployed on the left flank, which is not a problem for him at all. His Historic equalizer against Libertad The score was scored from that position.

Close control and unpredictability

Luca Marx is in first place for his ball control. He keeps the ball extremely close to his feet, allowing him to work into tight spaces and make quick escapes from pressure. In youth football, he has consistently been viewed as a difficult player for this reason.

That control directly impacts its unpredictability. While many reverse wingers rely only on cutting inside, Lucca mixes up his decisions well. He can cut infield to shoot or combine, but he also attacks the outside lane and drives to the byline.

Because of this, defenders have difficulty reading him. They cannot fully commit to blocking the inside channel or the outside run. That hesitation becomes one of his main weapons.

Movement, deception and decision making

Another notable element of Lucca Marques’s game is how much he moves across the pitch. He does not remain confined to any one zone. Instead, he constantly changes positions to find space and receive the ball in better situations.

He often tries to isolate defenders in one-on-one situations. Once there, his ability to conceal his next action becomes critical. He can accelerate quickly, stop quickly, or change direction with minimal backlift.

This deceptive style is unusual for a right-footed player. Generally, attackers attacking from the right side attack with the left foot. Arsenal’s goal contradicted that expectation. When he drives inside with his stronger foot, he often catches defenders off balance.

Also, he shows patience beyond his years. In moments close to goal, he makes cool decisions, whether that means finishing or picking out a pass.

Even though he was playing as a left inverted winger, his equalizer against Libertad is a good example – receiving wide out, cutting inside, dribbling with close control and delivering precise strikes under pressure.

Furthermore, he is not physically imposing, especially against a tough team like Arsenal. But he compensates for this with speed and agility. His speed over short distances helps him create quick separation.

For Mikel Arteta, that flexibility may be particularly relevant. The club already has a wide range of options, each with a different profile. What Lucca offers is a blend of technical control, speed and unpredictability that is not easy to find.

🇧🇷 Exclusive: Arsenal tracking Lucca Marques

⭐️ 18-year-old’s rapid growth draws attention
⚽️ Youngest player to score in Copa Libertadores in Sao Paulo history
🇩🇪Borussia Dortmund also interested
➡️The Gunners can make a formal offer in the summerhttps://t.co/u7LuPMgUyJ #afc #bvb

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 3 April 2026

Arsenal leading the race as interest is confirmed

That profile explains why Arsenal have moved up quickly. This also explains why competition is now increasing.

german outlet image The situation has now been confirmed and an important detail has been added: Arsenal are currently the frontrunners in the race for Lucca Marx.

Borussia Dortmund are also in the picture and have made a detailed investigation into the player. However, the German outlet indicates that the Premier League side are ahead at this stage.

With Lucca under contract until 2028, Sao Paulo are in a strong position. His current valuation sits around €3m (£2.6m), but any deal is expected to be much higher than this figure.

For Arsenal, the decision may now revolve around timing. Move quickly, and they’ll secure a high-end talent. Wait, competition is likely to increase rapidly.

Liverpool are probably already planning a long-term succession on the left side of their defence, and this process takes them back to Brazil.

With Andy Robertson entering the final stages of his time at Anfield and Milos Kerkez still working to become fully convincing since arriving, the Premier League club have begun to look further afield in the market. Now one name on their radar is 18-year-old Vinicius Lira.

Sport Witness’ sources confirm this Liverpool have been following the Santos youngster in recent months. The club’s South American scouts have monitored his development as the Brazilian club slowly grooms him into a bigger role in the senior team.

Liverpool are taking a closer look at Santos’ talent

Born in October 2007, Lira is considered one of the most exciting prospects produced by Santos in recent years.

The left-back immediately stands out for his physical profile. Standing at approximately 1.87 metres, he combines unusual height for the position with strong athleticism and long strides. This allows him to cover the ground quickly and support attacks with regular overlapping runs.

However, attacking contributions are only part of his appeal. Coaches in Brazil often highlight his crossing ability, delivery from wide areas and set-piece quality. Lira is also comfortable getting into the box and has already contributed goals and assists throughout the youth levels. Liverpool scouts may have taken notice.

In the 2025 youth season, he made almost 40 appearances for Santos academy sides, scoring five goals and providing five assists. During that period he also helped the club win state titles at both U17 and U20 level.

The teenager also already has limited senior experience. He made his debut for the first team at the 2025 State Championships and has since made five senior appearances, three of which were as a starter.

tottenham step opens the door

Lira’s path to regular first-team football has been shaped by an interesting twist involving Premier League rivals Liverpool.

tottenham hotspur recent transfers Santos sign left-back SouzaA deal that created immediate room for Lira to climb the internal hierarchy.

Within Santos, there is a growing belief that the teenager could ultimately prove to be a more complete prospect. Some people close to the club have also joked that Tottenham may have bought “the wrong left-back”. Now it’s up to Liverpool to get it right.

Merseyside clubs have shown increasing interest in identifying special talents Before they completely explode in South America. If Lira continues his progress with the Santos first team this year, Liverpool could find themselves in a good position to take action.

Why does the profile attract Liverpool?

Liverpool’s recruitment model has often prioritized full-backs capable of making heavy contributions in attack. Under many managers, the role requires pace, passing ability and the stamina to cover the entire flank. Lira’s profile already meets many of those requirements.

Despite his age, he combines physical strength with forward intent. His ability to reach the byline and deliver initial crosses is one of the most cited aspects of his game. Meanwhile, his size provides an advantage in aerial duels and defensive transitions.

He also plays left-footed, is comfortable under pressure and is capable of striking from set pieces.

At the moment, Liverpool’s interest remains at monitoring level. The club is keeping a close eye on his development as he steps into senior football.

But with Robertson reaching the final stages of his Anfield career, and Kerkez still being assessed, Liverpool’s succession planning may already be underway.

Vinicius is managed by Lira Bertolucci SportsWho represent some of the most high profile Brazilians in the Premier League. The agency has extensive experience in transfers around the world and is well placed to help Liverpool complete the deal.