FORGOTTEN Arsenal man Marquinhos is set to return to Brazil having featured just six times for the Gunners, according to reports.
The winger, 20, joined the North London club in June 2022, signing a five-year contract in a deal worth around £3million.
He made six appearances during the first half of last season, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Marquinhos, who has four caps for Brazil’s U23s, was then loaned out to Championship side Norwich where he played 11 times, scoring once.
Returning to Arsenal in the summer, Mikel Arteta sent him back out on loan – this time to Ligue 1 outfit Nantes.
But he was recalled to the Emirates last month having featured just five times for the French side.
And according to Globo, Fluminese have now sealed a deal for Marquinhos to join them on loan with an option to buy.
A verbal agreement has been reached, with the official paperwork expected to be completed in the coming days.
The permanent sale of Marquinhos in the summer could make some much-needed room on the wage bill for any new arrivals.
Arteta is understood to be eyeing up a number of players in the transfer window.
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Marquinhos’ stats at Arsenal
Here are Marquinhos’ numbers since arriving at Arsenal:
Games played: 6
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
But strict profit and sustainability rules now dictate that clubs must not spend outside of their means, so Arsenal are required to balance the books while signing players.
The Gunners have been linked with a summer move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande, Napoli star Victor Osimhen, and RB Leipzig man Xavi Simons are other names being mooted.
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