Arsenal €10m offer for €100m clause player isn’t enough – Gunners put on pause

Arsenal’s long-standing interest in Palmeiras defender Luis Benedetti remains intact, but fresh reports from Brazil again underline why the Premier League club are still waiting for any real opening.

As previously reported, Arsenal have tracked the 19-year-old centre-back and seen approaches in the region of €10m (£8.6m) dismissed.

Palmeiras continue to hold out for a higher valuation, closer to €20m (£17.2m), and their stance on timing has now been reinforced.

Defensive reshuffle needed before any sale

Luis Benedetti currently sits fourth in the centre-back hierarchy at Palmeiras. Gustavo Gómez, Murilo and Bruno Fuchs are all ahead of him in manager Abel Ferreira’s plans.

Despite that, the club still see him as part of the senior group. That is a key factor in their decision-making.

Now according to Lance! and Globo Esporte, the Brazilian club have no intention of selling Benedetti in the middle of the season. Instead, their priority remains strengthening the defensive unit before considering any departure.

Palmeiras want to sign a more experienced defender before opening the door to any exit. Nino, currently at Zenit, has been identified as a primary target, although negotiations have proven difficult. Alexander Barboza is another name under consideration, alongside Brighton’s Igor Julio.

Until that reinforcement arrives, Palmeiras are unwilling to weaken their squad depth – especially with major competitions ongoing.

Profile continues to attract Arsenal interest

Luis Benedetti’s profile helps explain why Arsenal have remained attentive despite the lack of regular starts.

The defender recently returned to first-team action after nearly two months out, taking his tally to 17 senior appearances, with one goal. While minutes have been limited, his underlying profile continues to draw attention.

A study from the CIES Football Observatory placed him among the top 10 most versatile centre-backs in the world under the age of 20. That external validation adds weight to the internal praise he already receives at Palmeiras.

Physically, Benedetti stands out. At 1.97m tall, he combines aerial presence with notable speed, reportedly exceeding 36 km/h – a rare mix for a defender of his size.

He also carries leadership responsibility at youth level, captaining Palmeiras’ U20 side during their recent Copa Libertadores campaign.

What happens next

For Arsenal, the situation remains one of patience. Palmeiras are not actively pushing for a sale. Instead, they are protecting both squad balance and the player’s development pathway.

Even with continued interest from Europe – including recent attention from Como, as we previously covered – and Nottingham Forest, the Brazilian side hold full control.

Benedetti is under contract until 2029 and has a €100m (£86m) release clause. So unless Palmeiras secure their defensive target first, there will be no movement.

For now, Arsenal are still watching. But the message from Brazil is clear: this is not the moment to strike.