Arsenal's £3million swoop for Sao Paulo forward Marquinhos is heading towards a bizarre legal battle as it emerged the teenager has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Wolves.
The 19-year-old, who has represented Brazil Under-17s, had been expected to complete a move to the Emirates this summer.
But the deal is now under a cloud as it emerged Marquinhos has already inked a pre-contract agreement to join Wolves.
Sources close to the deal have indicated that Sao Paulo, despite the agreement between Marquinhos and Wolves, offered the winger to the Gunners for a small fee.
Arsenal moved quickly to strike a deal with Marquinhos and had been expected to wrap up the transfer early this summer.
As a 16-year-old, the player signed a five-year deal with Sao Paulo that was due to expire in 2024.
However, FIFA rules only allow underage players to sign three year contracts, which effectively makes the final two years of his deal void meaning he is a free agent this summer.
Wolves believe they have a legally binding agreement for Marquinhos to join them when his contract expires later this summer.
Sportsmail understands Marquinhos' contract at Sao Paulo is due to expire on July 12, with his Wolves deal scheduled to kick in on July 14.
But it is claimed that Sao Paulo, in hope of securing a fee for a player who was about to leave for nothing, opened talks with Arsenal.
As a result Wolves are seeking legal advice on the matter ahead of potential court battle that could have implications for Marquinho’s protracted move to Arsenal.
Legal action against Sao Paulo, Arsenal and the player are all options Wolves are understood to be considering.
Wolves and Arsenal were contacted for a response last night.
Nahacirsuz
0
ok
Toscallini
1
The common sense judgement goes thus; man thinketh, God doeth. Doesn't he still has contract with Sao Paulo? Does he own himself yet? The decision isn't his but the club he has contract with, Sao Paulo doesn't know about his contract with Wolverhampton wanderers, neither did Arsenal Football Club do. Even the player doesn't have fault but his agent who should have negotiated sales with Wolverhampton wanderers instead of future agreement as he still has contract with Sao Paulo who founded a last gasp suitor in Arsenal Football Club due to the spectacularity of the player. He who want the value that comes with having diamond must be ready to pay the price that comes with having the value of diamond. As it took some process for a lump of coal to become diamond not that it was actually created so. And the process was carried out by someone or an organisation who need to earn value for making a lump of coal to become diamond through a process which demanded their service. Diamond is not like fruit that falls off trees, even at that, to pluck fruit that didn't fall off the tree takes efforts, to even have the best of fruit takes efforts of plucking from hidden part of the trees. Nothing good comes free! Up Arsenal Football Club Up Gunners and God bless, amen by God's grace!
huacikmtuy
0
anyway wolf is behind the gunner,u need 11player to go on top.
Dean82
0
confused club with a confused manager,who has no influence,personality in world football.
kuncdoty
0
do u have that kind of money to do that arsenal fans continue dreaming
ManjunathRolli
0
😂😂😂😂😂arsenal[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
JEPO
1
am tired of all this tumors, all I want to see/hear is done deal
samediokon
1
There’s no need for noise of any battle, even if wolves wins the battle i don’t think the atmosphere among the wolves fans will be shiny for him again. So if we don’t get him, they won’t either. And sao paulo wants money.
Gunners4ever❤
0
exactly, a good CB, a good DM and a good CF
We need full-backs too. A new CB won't be all that necessary if Saliba stays.
mancsupporter
1
Arteta go for icardi please.
He will steal arteta’s wife
mancsupporter
0
Don, t go to wolves day not we signed a deal with Arsenal no fo wolves
If he already sign he has to go wolves
yocabdmo
0
Don, t go to wolves day not we signed a deal with Arsenal no fo wolves
Seuiorstyz
1
Arteta go for icardi please.
Seuiorstyz
1
Icardi is useless in PSG, very good striker for that matter, why not him?
Daphoenix87
1
I don’t care. Let wolves have him,We are not short of young talented players,What we actually need now is 2 or 3 experienced proven winners
exactly, a good CB, a good DM and a good CF
Dadabek
0
Gun the Wolves down. Mbappe had first agreed RM move in principle but backtracked.
Unitedforlife6
0
Wolves have a hold on Portuguese speaking players
Sleek_savage
4
I don’t care. Let wolves have him,We are not short of young talented players,What we actually need now is 2 or 3 experienced proven winners
voselmnosu
1
Arsenal is a floop how can this happen?
SilverSurfer
1
The gunners outsmarted by a pack of WOLVES!!!🐺🐺🐺…[Crylaugh]
Peyabimtuy
2
aston Villa just signed Diego carlos sevilla defender. villa planning something big. what is man utd doing
Mombceknty
0
Not even this small deal we could get done. The guy that does our negotiations need to be fired. I would hate to think Edu was behind this failed deal and cant attract his own countryman.This club is embarrassing we got piped by mid tabled club.
you are advice to please switch allegiance to wolves support wolves they will give you what you wish to have. forget about arsenal....
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
Not even this small deal we could get done. The guy that does our negotiations need to be fired. I would hate to think Edu was behind this failed deal and cant attract his own countryman.This club is embarrassing we got piped by mid tabled club.
You shld read the article and understand it more kid. They already had an agreement with Wolves before we came into the picture and nw bcus we're willing to pay more money Sao Paulo prefers to do business with us. Wolves however could disrupt the whole deal if they take the offense to court
Cotclmrst
0
Buy Tielemans, nkunku, Gabriel jesus and bring back Saliba
Arsenal owner,Edu and Arteta are too lazy and slow to sign player
Humancal44
0
look vardy or immobile will improve the attact as they are proven goalscorers and well experienced
🚮
ManUnited-Red
3
That’s nice
mupbceip
2
Not even this small deal we could get done. The guy that does our negotiations need to be fired. I would hate to think Edu was behind this failed deal and cant attract his own countryman.This club is embarrassing we got piped by mid tabled club.
JPHarrison
1
look vardy or immobile will improve the attact as they are proven goalscorers and well experienced
JPHarrison
0
Buy Tielemans, nkunku, Gabriel jesus and bring back Saliba
I don't know the problem of our board , we need to sign tielemans , Jesus , Sinistera, nkunku if possible and vardy or immobile
viubclnpz
1
nice
Mimacdeiko
4
Buy Tielemans, nkunku, Gabriel jesus and bring back Saliba