Deal signed: Club president confirmed agreement to sell striker linked to Arsenal in coming days
Santos president confirms sale of Marcos
The Brazilian striker was linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico last summer before Romelu Lukaku’s transfer from Chelsea, but Arsenal have recently emerged as the Giallorossi’s main rivals in the hunt for the Santos star.
But Benfica have now beaten off competition from the Gunners and Giallorossi to secure the 20-year-old for €18m.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said the Portuguese side had acquired 70% of the striker’s economic rights, with the remaining 30% owned by the player’s entourage.
Teixeira posted a photo with Benfica CEO Rui Pedro Braz on Tuesday, revealing Benfica’s offer for the first time.
He said he had spoken to club president Manuel Rui Costa, the former Fiorentina and Milan star who has made an official bid for the Brazilian striker.
Benfica signed Arthur Cabral from Fiorentina for €20m last summer, but the 25-year-old has scored just four goals in 19 appearances for the Portuguese giants.
