Arsenal opportunity to sign Brazil winger for €40m – Star named Gunners as dream club

Arsenal have already been named by Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique as his dream destination. Moreover, the player’s current form suggests he could soon force that conversation into something more concrete.

Now at Zenit, the 23-year-old is enjoying a strong spell. This has elevated his status both at club level and within Brazil’s national team setup.

The attacker has been widely described in Brazil as a “12th man” for the national team. He may not always start. However, he is consistently involved and trusted to impact games from the bench or in rotation.

That reputation has been built on performances that combine output with unpredictability. This season, Luiz Henrique has contributed with 5 goals and 6 assists in his 39 matches for Zenit. He has maintained the same direct, aggressive style that made him stand out in Brazil.

Arsenal links and Premier League history

Luiz Henrique’s admiration for the Gunners is not new. In November 2025, he said: “Since I was a kid, my dream has always been to play in England. There’s a team there that I like a lot, which is Arsenal”.

His words now sit within a wider Premier League context.

Before his move to Russia, clubs such as Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United were all competing for his signature.

At the time, there was a genuine battle developing in England for a player seen as one of Brazil’s most explosive wide options.

That interest has not disappeared. If anything, his performances since leaving Botafogo have reinforced the idea that he is unlikely to remain at Zenit for long. In fact, his agent confirmed he would prioritise a move to England when the time comes.

His pace, dribbling and one-v-one strength continue to stand out. Players with that profile tend to attract sustained attention from English clubs. Given his age and trajectory, another move feels more like a matter of timing than possibility.

Zenit open door and set price

Luiz Henrique’s situation may now be entering that next phase. Reports from Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte indicate that Zenit are open to selling the winger in the next transfer window, provided their valuation is met. The Russian club are said to be demanding €40m (£34m) to sanction a deal.

Interest is already emerging from Brazil. Flamengo and Palmeiras are both monitoring the situation and considering a move. However, the financial scale of the operation makes a domestic return difficult. This is true even for clubs with strong resources.

As a result, the Premier League again looks like the most realistic destination if Zenit push ahead with their plans.

What happens next

Luiz Henrique’s public stance has been clear. He wants to fulfil his contract, but he also dreams of playing in England. He has openly pointed to Arsenal as his preferred club.

With a price now established and interest building, that pathway is starting to take shape.

From Arsenal’s perspective, this could develop into a compelling opportunity. Luiz Henrique has the tools to start for most Premier League sides already. This is given his output and ability in wide areas.

More specifically, there is a scenario where Arsenal could look at refreshing their attacking options with a Brazilian profile shift – moving from Gabriel Martinelli to Luiz Henrique.

On current form, that would represent an upgrade in directness and one-v-one impact, aligning well with Mikel Arteta’s attacking structure if the club decide to act.