Arsenal have been tracking São Paulo youngster Lucca Marques, with Sport Witness sources previously revealing the Gunners’ strong interest in the 18-year-old.
Our early report is now gaining further weight as the player’s profile continues to grow in Brazil. But how does he play, and why is that attracting attention from Arsenal, a club already stocked with a diverse range of wide forwards?
Profile and playing style for Arsenal transfer
Lucca Marques, born in 2007, is one of the standout products of São Paulo’s Cotia academy.
The Arsenal transfer target joined at under-11 level and quickly built a reputation for his goal threat. His most productive youth campaign came at under-17 level, when he scored 12 goals in 34 matches.
His development has been fast-tracked since then. He featured heavily in São Paulo’s Copinha-winning run, playing eight matches and starting six. Soon after, he was promoted to the senior squad by their manager at the time, Luis Zubeldía.
Standing at 1.72m, Lucca is a right-footed attacker who prefers to operate on the wings. From either side, he tends to cut inside while maintaining control in his stronger foot.
He is primarily used from the left, but he is comfortable switching to the right wing or even operating more centrally as an attacking midfielder. That versatility adds another layer to his profile and Arsenal transfer interest.
During his time at senior level, he is often deployed at the left flank, which is not a problem at all for him. His historic equaliser against Libertad was scored from that position.
Close control and unpredictability
Lucca Marques stands out first for his ball control. He keeps the ball extremely close to his feet, which allows him to operate in tight spaces and escape pressure quickly. In youth football, he has consistently been viewed as a difficult player to mark for that reason.
That control feeds directly into his unpredictability. While many inverted wingers rely only on cutting inside, Lucca mixes his decisions well. He can cut infield to shoot or combine, but he also attacks the outside lane and drives towards the byline.
Because of that, defenders struggle to read him. They cannot fully commit to blocking the inside channel or the outside run. That hesitation becomes one of his main weapons.
Movement, deception and decision-making
Another striking element of Lucca Marques’ game is how much he moves across the pitch. He does not stay fixed to one zone. Instead, he constantly shifts positions to find space and receive the ball in better conditions.
He often looks to isolate defenders in one-on-one situations. Once there, his ability to disguise his next action becomes key. He can accelerate sharply, stop quickly, or change direction with minimal backlift.
This deceptive style is unusual for a right-footed player on the right wing. Typically, right-sided attackers who cut inside are left-footed. The Arsenal target flips that expectation. When he drives inside with his stronger foot, defenders are often caught off balance.
At the same time, he shows composure beyond his age. In moments near goal, he tends to make calm decisions, whether that means finishing or picking a pass.
Even though he was playing as a left inverted winger, his equaliser against Libertad is a good example – receiving out wide, cutting inside, dribbling with close control and striking with precision under pressure.
Also, he is not physically dominant, especially for a tough side like Arsenal. But he compensates with acceleration and agility. His speed over short distances helps him create separation quickly.
For Mikel Arteta, that flexibility can be particularly relevant. The club already has multiple wide options, each with different profiles. What Lucca offers is a blend of technical control, movement and unpredictability that is not easy to find.
🇧🇷 EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal tracking Lucca Marques
⭐️ 18-year-old’s rapid rise catches attention
⚽️ Youngest in São Paulo history to score in Copa Libertadores
🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund also interested
➡️ Gunners could make formal offer in summer #afc #bvb— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 3, 2026
Arsenal leading race as interest confirmed
That profile explains why Arsenal have moved early. It also explains why competition is now increasing.
German outlet BILD have now confirmed the situation and added an important detail: Arsenal are currently leading the race for Lucca Marques.
Borussia Dortmund are also in the picture and have carried out detailed scouting on the player. However, the German outlet indicates the Premier League side are ahead at this stage.
With Lucca under contract until 2028, São Paulo are in a strong position. His current valuation sits around €3m (£2.6m), but any deal is expected to go well beyond that figure.
For Arsenal, the decision may now revolve around timing. Move early, and they secure a high-upside talent. Wait, and the competition is likely to grow quickly.
