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Arsenal’s £3m swoop for Sao Paulo wonderkid Marquinhos is heading towards a bizarre legal battle… as the 19-year-old has ALREADY signed a pre-contract agreement with Wolves
- The 19-year-old had been expected to complete a move to the Emirates
- But it has emerged Marquinhos has already inked an agreement to join Wolves
- Sources close to the deal have indicated that Sao Paulo offered the winger to the Gunners for a small fee
- Sportsmail understands Marquinho’s contract at Sao Paulo is due to expire on July 12, with his Wolves deal scheduled to kick in on July 14
Arsenal’s £3million swoop for Sao Paulo forward Marquinhos is heading towards a bizarre legal battle as it emerged the teenager has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Wolves.
The 19-year-old, who has represented Brazil Under-17s, had been expected to complete a move to the Emirates this summer.
But the deal is now under a cloud as it emerged Marquinhos has already inked a pre-contract agreement to join Wolves.
Arsenal’s swoop for Sao Paulo forward Marquinhos is heading towards a bizarre legal battle
It has emerged that Marquinhos has already inked a pre-contract agreement to join Wolves
Sources close to the deal have indicated that Sao Paulo, despite the agreement between Marquinhos and Wolves, offered the winger to the Gunners for a small fee.
Sources close to the deal have indicated that Sao Paulo, despite the agreement between Marquinhos and Wolves, offered the 19-year-old winger to the Gunners for a small fee
Arsenal moved quickly to strike a deal with Marquinhos and had been expected to wrap up the transfer early this summer.
As a 16-year-old, the player signed a five-year deal with Sao Paulo that was due to expire in 2024.
However, FIFA rules only allow underage players to sign three year contracts, which effectively makes the final two years of his deal void meaning he is a free agent this summer.
Wolves believe they have a legally binding agreement for Marquinhos to join them when his contract expires later this summer.
Sportsmail understands Marquinho’s contract at Sao Paulo is due to expire on July 12, with his Wolves deal scheduled to kick in on July 14.
But it is claimed that Sao Paulo, in hope of securing a fee for a player who was about to leave for nothing, opens talks with Arsenal.
Arsenal moved to strike a deal and had been expected to wrap up the transfer this summer
As a result Wolves are seeking legal advice on the matter ahead of potential court battle that could have implications for Marquinho’s protracted move to Arsenal.
Legal action against Sao Paulo, Arsenal and the player are all options Wolves are understood to be considering.
Wolves and Arsenal were contacted for a response last night.
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