Arsenal have stepped up again before deadline day, submitting a bid of just over £10m for Fluminense talent Isaque Severino Silva. The move follows Eberechi Eze’s £68m unveiling and the club’s push to land Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.
RTI Esporte in Brazil report that Arsenal’s offer is genuine and higher than Shakhtar Donetsk’s proposal. However, talks between Fluminense and Shakhtar are already advanced, which makes this a late hijack attempt rather than a clear run.
Arsenal’s £10m Isaque offer arrives as Shakhtar talks advance
Timing matters here. Fluminense have been progressing a sale with Shakhtar and expect that agreement to be honoured. Arsenal’s approach, though, could “give new chapters” to negotiations if the Brazilian club decide to reopen terms. That leverage may become decisive as the clock ticks.
Liverpool have tracked Isaque, but Arsenal have now put numbers on the table. The Gunners view the 17-year-old as a flexible attacking option for the pathway rather than an instant starter.
Arteta and Berta target smart depth behind the starters
The profile fits Arsenal’s current build. Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta want one more forward who adds depth without demanding weekly starts. Last season, Raheem Sterling covered that background role on loan. On paper, Reiss Nelson filled it upon returning from Fulham.
Nelson could yet rejoin Fulham before Monday, which would re-open that squad slot. Consequently, Arsenal are probing a lower-cost, high-upside addition to protect against another injury crunch.
How Isaque would fit Arsenal’s attack
Isaque operates primarily as an attacking midfielder but can slide wide. That versatility helps in Arteta’s rotation, especially with the front line anchored by Viktor Gyökeres and supported by Bukayo Saka, Eze and Noni Madueke. He would develop behind senior options, train at elite intensity, and take minutes in cups and late-game scenarios.
Arsenal’s pitch is straightforward: elite coaching, a clear pathway, and a structure that eases the jump to Premier League level. For a 17-year-old, that matters as much as the transfer fee.
What happens next
Fluminense must decide whether to stick with Shakhtar or entertain Arsenal’s higher offer. If the Brazilian side reopen talks, this saga could swing quickly. If not, Arsenal will move to the next name on their depth list and keep powder dry for January.
Either way, the message is clear. With Eze secured and Hincapié in motion, Arsenal are still working the margins to future-proof the squad before the window shuts.
