Arsenal boosted as ‘special’ target reveals transfer ‘dream’

Breno Bidon has fuelled transfer rumours linking him with Arsenal after revealing his ‘dream’ of one day playing in Europe and testing himself in the Champions League.

Bidon has rapidly built a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in Brazilian football having played a key role in Corinthians’ Copa do Brasil triumph last season.

The 21-year-old central midfielder also enjoyed success at international level at the start of 2025 as he helped Brazil win the South American Under-20 Championship title for a record 13th time.

Bidon’s eye-catching performances for both club and country have not gone unnoticed both inside Brazil – with Flamengo said to be admirers – and across the European, with top teams in Italy and Portugal beginning to circle.

Arsenal have also been credited with a strong interest and have reportedly held initial discussions with Corinthians to ‘seek information’ about Bidon’s potential availability.

Corinthians have grown increasingly resigned to the prospect of Bidon’s head being turned and have begun identifying potential replacements for the youngster, installing Wolfsburg’s Vinicius Souza at the top of their wishlist.

According to a recent report from ESPN Brasil, Corinthians would be willing to negotiate a transfer deal for Bidon if they received an offer in the region of R$150million (£20.8m) for their prized possession.

‘I do dream about playing in Europe,’ Bidon told TNT Sports Brasil when addressing the recent speculation surrounding his future.

It has been a dream since I was a kid – to play in Europe, to play in the Champions League, to play in a World Cup. It has been a dream since I was young.

‘I do have that desire. I do not know when the moment will come but I do have that desire to play abroad.’

Ex-Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has witnessed Bidon’s meteoric rise first-hand since joining Corinthians from Atletico Madrid back in 2024.

According to the Netherlands international, whichever club that manages to sign Bidon will be acquiring a ‘special’ talent with the ‘mentality’ to reach the top.

‘I talk to him a lot, he’s very intelligent,’ Memphis said of Bidon in a recent interview with Brazilian outlet SporTV.

‘He has great potential. He’s young, but very talented. He works hard, is focused and has a strong mentality.

‘He’s a special player, he needs to leave Brazil, not now, but soon. He also needs to be called up to the Brazilian national team.

‘He has enormous potential, he’s very good.’

Corinthians are in no rush to cash in on Bidon at this stage, though, and facing the media in January, head coach Dorival Junior was keen to stress just how ‘important’ the midfielder was in his plans.

‘He’s a very important player and if I’m being honest with you, I wouldn’t like to lose any player,’ the former Brazil boss told reporters.

‘We need to find balance so we can have a strong squad throughout the year. That is our biggest challenge.’

Bidon has been with Corinthians since Under-17 level and is tied into a contract with his boyhood team until December 31 2029.

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