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Arsenal initiate talks to sign €100m wonderkid
Cameron Smith
- 23 Jan 2026 09:07 GMT
- 6 min read
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Arsenal have reportedly initiated contact with Corinthians in an attempt to finalise a deal for 16-year-old wonderkid Iago Machado.
The Gunners bolstered their first-team squad with a number of high-profile additions last summer and they are therefore expected to keep their power dry before the winter window closes on 2 February.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side are in talks over a pre-agreement for Machado, as per a report from Brazilian publication Globo Esporte.
The Premier League giants are reportedly interested in agreeing a deal for Machado to move to north London following his 18th birthday in February 2027, although they are expected to face significant competition from Eredivisie outfit Ajax.
Both clubs are understood to have opened talks with Corinthians to register their interest in signing Machado, but formal discussions over a deal aren’t currently ongoing.
Corinthians recently increased Machado’s salary at the club, while they also tied him down to fresh contract terms that include a €100 million release clause.
The teenage defender is yet to make his first-team debut for Corinthians, but he was recently invited to take part in training with the club’s senior side and he is currently a regular for their U20s.
Arsenal target Corinthians raid
In addition to Machado, Arsenal have also recently been linked with a move for fellow Corinthians star Breno Bidon.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as a surprise transfer target for the Gunners in recent weeks and they have been informed that a January deal could be completed if they lodge a bid worth just under €25m.
Bidon has already racked up over 100 first-team appearances for Corinthians and reports in Brazil speculate that Arsenal have opened talks over a potential transfer amid competition from Flamengo and several unnamed clubs in both Italy and Portugal.
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