Gilberto Silva hints at Arsenal move for Palmeiras' Endrick

The 16-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in South America, having come up with six goals in seven appearances during the 2022 Copinha already.

Endrick signed his first professional contract with Palmeiras earlier this summer, and he is tied to the reigning Copa Libertadores champions until 2025.

However, a host of leading European clubs are said to be interested in a deal for the teenager, with Real Madrid and Barcelona among them.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Endrick, but a former Gunner has hinted that Arsenal are well-placed to sign the youngster.

Gilberto Silva - who was a prominent member of the 2003-04 Invincibles team - believes that technical director Edu could help the Gunners win the race for the in-demand Endrick.

Speaking to Metro, the 46-year-old said: "We know the importance in football of being well-connected, to people, clubs, sporting directors, presidents of the club. This is how things happen.

"But there is big competition to get the best players, from the best leagues. For Palmeiras, they are going to receive a lot of calls from many clubs, the best clubs in the world to try and bring him to them.

'It is a tough time for the player, honestly. Sometimes they are loads of messages, loads of opportunities, and it can be very difficult to make decisions.

"It is important for the people around him to give him the right advice together with the family, to let them make the right decision. Let's see, if some point Arsenal did manage to bring the player, they will be getting a very good player."

Endrick has already scored five goals in four games for Brazil's Under-17s, and he told Marca earlier this year that he held a strong admiration for Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"I try not to think about the future, but about the present. I dream, of course, of playing in Europe, with the Brazilian national team and winning trophies," Endrick said.

"I have a lot of love for Real Madrid because of Cristiano [Ronaldo], although I have also looked up some of their history and they are a very good team.

"It is very gratifying for me to know that they are watching me and seeing my games. I am very grateful to God for that. I have to do more, it's not good enough yet, I have to give more. I still have a way to go.

"They [Barcelona] are a very good team too, spectacular, with incredible players, some of whom have already left, such as [Lionel] Messi, Xavi [Hernandez] and [Andres] Iniesta. It's good that one of the best clubs in the world follows me as a player and a person. I thank God very much."

Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos represent two young Brazilians who have left their homeland to join the Gunners in recent years, and the former is now Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-winger.