Arsenal left ruing transfer error as former target continues SENSATIONAL form

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 11 Mar 2024 17:02 GMT
• 4 min read

Kai Havertz may currently be in a purple patch of form, but Arsenal will be regretting their failure to sign Brazilian wonderkid Marcos Leonardo during the January transfer window.

Leonardo, 20, was a major target for the Gunners - as exclusively reported by FootballTransfers - but they were beaten to his signature by Benfica, who secured an €18 million deal two months ago.

Now, Arsenal will be ruing the fact they lost the race to sign the Brazil U23 international.

READ MORE: Chelsea flop to Arsenal hero – How Arteta was persuaded to buy Havertz

Since his move to Benfica, Leonardo has been forced to bide his time with regards to a place in the starting XI, but his impact has been monumental. He scored in each of his first three league games for the club (all as a substitute), while he now has five Benfica goals to his name after netting on his first start for the club on Sunday.

Leonardo’s five goals for the Portuguese giants have come in just 176 minutes of league play, working out at a goal every 35 minutes.

READ MORE: Arsenal's key advantage over Chelsea in pursuit of LaLiga superstar

Arsenal left regretting Leonardo failure

Of course, the Portuguese top flight is a far easier division than the Premier League, but Leonardo’s start to life in Europe has been sensational. The Brazilian’s slow integration into the Benfica side is also a smart idea, but he already looks set to become another player who will leave the club for a huge profit.

Enzo Fernandez famously spent just six months at Benfica before Chelsea spent a whopping €121m to sign him in January 2023.

While Arsenal are unlikely to spend that much to sign Leonardo, the Gunners may well be once again tempted to pursue a move for the 20-year-old following his immense form at Benfica.

However, one thing is for certain - he will cost a lot more than the €18m Benfica spent to sign him during the January transfer window.