Marquinhos Leaves Arsenal for Cruzeiro in Permanent Transfer

Brazilian winger Marquinhos has officially left Arsenal to join Cruzeiro on a permanent deal. The 21-year-old will stay at the club until 2028. He returns home after spending recent seasons on loan in Europe and Brazil.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Marquinhos‘ move to Cruzeiro ends a period of uncertainty about his future. He initially joined the club on loan this year, following stints at Norwich City, Nantes, and Fluminense. His start at Cruzeiro was promising, but a contractual clause complicated things. A permanent transfer would be triggered if he played 20 matches in the first half of 2025. To avoid this, he was left out of squads as both clubs renegotiated terms. They eventually reached an agreement, and now Marquinhos has signed with Cruzeiro until 2028.

WHY THIS DEAL MATTERS

Marquinhos joined Arsenal in 2022 but couldn’t establish himself in London. He made only a few appearances before being loaned out. Last year, he played 29 games for Fluminense and helped them win the Recopa Sudamericana. This season, Marquinhos made 18 appearances for Cruzeiro before negotiations paused his playing time. Arsenal’s decision to sell him frees up a non-homegrown squad spot. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro get a talented winger with experience in Europe as they plan for long-term success.

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MARQUINHOS AND THE TEAMS?

With his future secure, Marquinhos will help Cruzeiro’s campaign in the Brazilian Serie A. They are currently in mid-table and aim to improve their position as the season progresses. Arsenal, after finishing second in the Premier League, will focus on strengthening their squad in the upcoming transfer window. Cruzeiro’s next game is a crucial one against Flamengo, who are involved in the title race. They hope Marquinhos can make an immediate impact to help them climb the league and avoid relegation concerns.