Arsenal reportedly in talks with Corinthians over summer move for Maycon
After a largely disappointing season, the mini-revival in March has given Arsenal fans something to smile about, and there could be more exciting news to come as details of the club’s summer transfer plans are beginning to surface.
The arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, along with the departure of a host of players, was just the beginning of a much-needed squad overhaul. German talent-spotter Sven Mislintat has already begun to make his mark and will hopefully be identifying a host of players who will be able to improve the team’s fortunes. Given the talent that is already in the squad, Arsenal could be an interesting club for Premier League glory next season.
One of the most intriguing names to emerge as a potential target in recent weeks is Brazilian star Maycon. The Gunners had previously expressed an interest in him back in 2016, but the transfer didn’t happen, and the 20-year-old midfielder has stayed at his Brazilian club Corinthians, where he has been gaining useful experience.
Although he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Brazilian national side, he is one of the most exciting potential stars in world football, and a number of teams are said to be interested in acquiring his services, including Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk.
The fact that he has yet to play an international game could potentially make it tricky for Arsenal to obtain a work permit, but with a number of friendly matches being played between now and the summer, not to mention the World Cup, there is a good chance of the young star gaining his first cap, which would clear the way for him to come to the Premier League.
It is also likely that Arsenal see Maycon as a long-term prospect, like Joel Campbell or young Greek centre-half Konstantinos Mavropanos, who arrived during the recent transfer window, and who has also been spoken of as a star of the future.
If the Gunners can complete the deal with Corinthians this summer, it is possible that Maycon could be loaned out to another European club, at least initially. One notable feature of the way that Mislintat worked in Germany was his ability to spot potential and bring in players who would develop and become long-term prospects. That approach fits well with the Arsenal philosophy, and Maycon is just the sort of player who can blossom over time.
As a technically accomplished box-to-box player, Maycon has the potential to contribute at both ends of the pitch, becoming an influential midfield presence in the mold of Gunners legend Patrick Vieira. Those are some big boots to fill, of course, but if he fulfills his potential, the Brazilian could become an Arsenal great, and a key component of a renewed Arsenal squad capable of returning the club to the top in Europe and in the Premier League.