Arsenal, Manchester United & Newcastle United 'target' completes £15.5m move as five-and-a-half year deal signed

Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo has completed a move to Portuguese outfit Benfica on a five-and-a-half year deal. The 20-year-old had been linked with a move to England, as Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United were all credited with an interest in the player.

He already has 168 appearances under his belt for Brazilian club Santos, with 54 goals to his name. He joins Benfica for a reported £15.5m. His departure from Santos was widely expected after the club were relegated from the Brazilian top flight, with recent reports claiming the Gunners had an interest as they look to bolster their options up front.

Upon joining Benfica, Leonardo said: "I'm very happy that Benfica chose me and also that I chose Benfica. It's a great club in Portugal and many Brazilian players have made a name for themselves here, like Jonas, for example."

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a new striker this month, with Brentford forward Ivan Toney a player admired by the Gunners but the transfer fee demanded by Brentford could thwart the North London club's hopes of landing the striker.

Speaking about Toney's future, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said this week: "He is a Brentford player. He is here, we miss a few offensive players and I cannot see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time. It is not for me to discuss [an offer], but if I could ever recommend one, it would need to be an unbelievable price, so he will stay here."

Arsenal's top scorer this term is Bukayo Saka with nine goals in all competitions while Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard both have seven each. Other forwards linked with the Gunners this month are Bayer Leverkusen attacker Victor Boniface, as well as Premier League strikers Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins.

Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon has also been linked, with London rivals Chelsea also credited with an interest in the Sweden international.

Speaking about possible transfer business at Arsenal this month, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday: "We are open in the transfer market but again the emphasis is on making the most out of the players that we have. We will work together with the club to understand whether there are any possibilities and if we have any good options, but first of all focus on the players that we have."