Arsenal have held initial talks with Brazilian defender Aleksandro who currently plays for French club Lille in Ligue 1.
It is the same club that they signed Gabriel Magalhães from in 2021, but, apart from the fact that they are both Brazilian and play in defence, their football paths could not have been more different.
Aleksandro failed to make the breakthrough professionally in his native Brazil, and instead crossed the Atlantic to play third-tier football in Portugal. He stayed one season with his initial club, befoee stepping up a level with Chaves, helping them gain promotion to the Primeira Liga.
His form was good enough for Lille to sign him for ₤1.7 million in July 2022, and he has since established a reputation as one of the best defenders in French football. And it has also been good enough to earn him a senior international call-up with Brazil.
Serie A champions Napoli are also reported to be interested in making a move for him.
