Arsenal is setting its sights on Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia for a potential January addition to bolster their midfield. The 21-year-old Maia is carving a reputation as one of Brazil’s most promising talents. According to reports, he currently holds an estimated transfer value of €11.6 million.
New Arsenal scout Paulo Xavier, assigned by sporting director Edu, was tasked with monitoring Pablo Maia. This is Xavier’s debut job after their past collaboration in the Brazil national team back in 2016.
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Pablo Maia for several weeks, with initial reports of their interest surfacing in November. As attempts to secure other midfield alternatives—like Douglas Luiz and Joao Palhinha—appear intricate, Arsenal is leaning towards pursuing Pablo Maia as a potential solution.
Moreover, Arsenal has demonstrated a penchant for sourcing talent from the South American market. They made prior acquisitions like Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in 2019 and Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in 2022. Pablo Maia is the latest Brazilian talent linked to the club and is viewed as possible replacement for Thomas Partey.
Exploring Pablo Maia’s football attributes
Pablo Maia emerges among a group of promising talents in Brazil, having amassed over 100 appearances for his club. He predominantly operates as a deep-lying midfielder. He stood out in Brazil’s Serie A during the 2023 season, showcasing strengths in ball retention, finishing, and positioning.
However, while excelling in certain aspects of his game, Maia exhibits relative weakness in defensive attributes, particularly in recoveries and pressing, according to data analytics experts SciSports.
So, Arsenal’s interest in Pablo Maia underscores their ongoing exploration of young Brazilian talents, with Marcos Leonardo among those under consideration. Also, the Gunners are eyeing Pablo Maia’s potential to fortify their midfield ranks. Even though his defensive contributions may need attention, his technical skills and promise in other areas mark him as a considerable asset for Arteta’s squad.
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