Arsenal are reportedly ready to rival Tottenham Hotspur on bringing in Watford’s Brazilian ace Richarlison. The 20-year old attacking player moved to the Hornets this summer from Fluminense for a fee recorded to be somewhere between £11 m and £13 m. He was tipped for a summer move ever since the market opened and had been linked with various clubs like Palmeiras, Dutch side Ajax and English Champions Chelsea.
However, it was the Marco Silva who ended up winning the signature of the Brazilian as he joined Watford on a five-year contract.
He had previously enjoyed an impressive spell with the Brazilian club Fluminense since joining them in 2015. He scored 19 goals in 67 games for the Brazilian outfit while also getting called up for the Brazilian under 20 national set up, where he scored two goals in eight games.
Richarlison has enjoyed a bright start to the Premier League, scoring four goals and setting up three assists in his twelve games at the club. Much of the credit for Watford’s impressive start to the new season will go to the tricky winger who has been the focal point for most of Watford’s attacks.
His quickness on the ball makes him an incredibly tough player to tackle off the ball. He has electric pace which allows him to keep up with the speed of the English game. Add to this his flair and a certain eye for goal and Richarlison possesses everything needed to become a hit in England. Hence, it is no surprise that his incredible form and his young age has attracted the interest of Arsene Wenger.
Wenger is known for his development of young talent at the Emirates for decades now and will certainly want to add another pearl in his feather by converting a brimming talent to a superstar. Moreover, with Alexis yet to sign an extension, Wenger will want to keep an alternate option ready if the Chilean does end up leaving Arsenal.
Another advantage of bringing in Richarlison will be the low transfer fee Wenger will have to pay for him, which is an absolutely crucial factor in this inflated transfer market.
Although Richarlison has said he intends to stay at Watford and wants to write history at the club, we know football is a fast-changing game. Should such an opportunity arrive for Richarlison to work with a manager of Wenger’s calibre and in a team of Arsenal’s quality, it is difficult to see Richarlison turning it down in favour of a stay at Watford.
