Arsenal close in on £5m move for Brazil Under 17 playmaker Zezinho
Thumbs up: Zezinho expects to join Arsenal
Brazilian starlet Zezinho expects to sign for Arsenal in the new year.
The 17-year-old, who had a trial with the Gunners in the summer, believes he has played his last game for Juventude ahead of a move to England.
Arsenal are understood to have made an improved bid after having offers of £1.5million and £2.75m rejected.
The Brazilian second division side were asking for £7m, though it is thought they would be satisfied with about £5m, which would wipe out the club's debts.
Zezinho, who is 18 in March, would not be able to play competitively for Arsenal until next season, but could train with Arsene Wenger's side before then.
Leading the way: Brazilian midfielder Denilson (left) has come through the ranks after signing for Arsenal as an 18-year-old
The playmaker, who has also been linked with Liverpool, finished the season with struggling Juventude last weekend and believes he will not be at the club when the Gaucho state championship starts in mid-January.
'My time at Juventude ended on Saturday,' he said. 'Until now, I thought that I would continue in the Gaucho, but my agent said that it is impossible.
'He told me that Arsenal will submit a new offer to Juventude - the third in a year, it seems - and this time it will be solved.
'I don't know about any other interested team. The only proposal is from Arsenal, the others were for trials.
VIDEO: Watch Zezinho in action for Juventude...
'I don't know about the price. I can only say that Juventude will receive 70 per cent, I'll receive 20 per cent and my agent 10 per cent.'
Zezinho was part of the Brazil side that won the South American Under 17 Championship earlier this year.
Operating through the middle or down the left wing, he scored a stunning goal for Juventude against Portuguesa earlier this year, but has also shown a petulant side and was sent of in back-to-back games in June and July.
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