Arsenal Sweats Over Injuries While Battling Dortmund for Brazilian Wonderkid

Arsenal secured a solid 2-0 victory over Sevilla, but the mood quickly shifted when Bukayo Saka limped off the pitch. Late in the contest, the England international landed awkwardly following a challenge with Tanguy Nianzou and immediately needed medical attention. He just couldn’t shake it off. Mikel Arteta eventually swapped him out for Jakub Kiwior, throwing a bit of a wet blanket on what was otherwise a near-perfect Champions League night for the North London squad.

In his post-match press conference, Arteta wasn’t entirely sure how bad the knock was, though he played down any major fears. He noted that Saka simply wasn’t comfortable carrying on. The Arsenal boss also pointed out that getting kicked is just part of the reality for a player of his caliber. Because of how he plays and draws defenders, he has to get used to the physical toll, as opponents aren’t going to change their tactics. The physios confirmed over the radio that it was just a bad kick, and while there’s definitely going to be some discomfort, Arteta assumes his star forward will ultimately be fine.

Still, the timing isn’t exactly ideal. The injury makes Saka a question mark for Gareth Southgate, who is set to announce his England squad this week for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. Ironically, missing out on international duty might actually be a small blessing in disguise for Arteta, giving the winger some much-needed rest. Saka has been absolutely vital this season, racking up five goals and six assists across all competitions. Adding to the manager’s headache, Takehiro Tomiyasu was also pulled at halftime with a suspected issue, though details on the severity of his problem remain sparse. Arsenal will need to figure out their fitness issues quickly as they host Burnley next, desperately hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle.

The Race for São Paulo’s Rising Star

Looking beyond their immediate on-pitch concerns, Arsenal is actively scouting the South American market to bolster their attacking depth. However, they aren’t the only ones looking for fresh talent. The Gunners currently find themselves locked in a heated transfer battle with Borussia Dortmund over 18-year-old São Paulo standout Lucca.

Dortmund is already on a major South American shopping spree ahead of the upcoming summer window. The German club recently locked down 17-year-old Brazilian left-back Kaua Prates from Cruzeiro for roughly €12 million, a fee that includes various bonuses. During his presentation, Prates made his ambitions clear, stating his main goal is to help the club remain among Europe’s elite and fight for every piece of silverware. They also snagged 17-year-old Ecuadorian attacking gem Justin Lerma from Independiente del Valle for around €4 million. Now, they are heavily scouting Lucca to be the third piece of this continental offensive.

The 18-year-old Brazilian is drawing massive attention across Europe, and it’s easy to see why. Standing at 1.72 meters, the highly technical right-footer can comfortably play on either wing or operate straight down the middle. Currently valued at €3 million, he holds the record as the youngest player ever fielded by São Paulo and is now a regular fixture in their professional squad. The U20 Brazilian international even bagged his first professional goal in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League.

A Bidding War on the Horizon

Dortmund’s scouts are very familiar with the teenager, but pulling off this deal won’t be easy. Several other heavy-hitting European clubs are circling, and Arsenal is reportedly furthest along in the poker game for his signature. Thanks to the intense interest and a long-term contract running until 2028, São Paulo is expected to demand a transfer fee well above his current market valuation.

Despite Arsenal’s apparent lead, Dortmund holds a unique trump card. The Bundesliga side is globally recognized as an elite stepping stone for young talent. Massive stars like Ousmane Dembélé (now 28 at Paris), Jadon Sancho (26, Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (22, Real Madrid), and Jamie Gittens (21, Chelsea) all saw their careers and market values explode while wearing the black and yellow. It’s now up to Dortmund’s new sporting director, Ole Book. Having earned the nickname “Pearl Diver” during his time at Elversberg, he is tasked with putting together another creative package for BVB. Whether Dortmund can actually beat out Arsenal for Lucca’s signature, however, remains completely open.