Arsenal 'submit £17.2m offer for Santos striker Marcos Leonardo'

The Gunners have been tipped to bolster their squad with a new big-name striker in 2024 to provide greater competition for Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

Jesus has been unable to reach the heights expected at the Emirates Stadium this season, largely due to injury, and has found the net just six times in 16 appearance across all competitions, scoring just twice in 11 Premier League outings.

Nketiah, meanwhile, has had to play second fiddle to Jesus when the Brazilian has been fit, and a recent report claims that Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for the Englishman - who has scored five goals in 21 games this term - during the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta's side are believed to be one of the frontrunners in the race to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has been strongly linked with a winter-window exit from the Bees.

The likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, RB Leipzig duo Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres have also been linked with a possible switch to the red side of North London.

However, according to Fichajes, Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Santos star Leonardo and have submitted an offer of €20m (£17.2m) plus bonuses.

The report adds that the Gunners regard Leonardo as one of the brightest prospects in Brazil and they are keen to win the race for his signature in January.

Arsenal could face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United and Roma, who are also said to be keeping tabs on the striker's situation.

Leonardo is widely expected to leave Santos in the New Year after the Brazilian giants were relegated from the top flight for the first time in their 111-year history following a 2-1 home defeat to Fortaleza last week.

The 20-year-old's agent Rafaela Pimenta recently revealed that his client "wants to have a European experience" and "the time has come to move" in the winter window.

Leonardo has developed into a star player for Santos since making his professional debut in 2020, scoring 54 goals and registering 11 assists in 168 appearances across all competitions.

The Brazil Under-23 international netted 21 goals in 49 first-team appearances for Santos in the 2023 season, including 13 strikes in the Brasileiro, but he was unable to help the Peixe avoid demotion to the second tier.