Arsenal’s interest in Palmeiras defender Luis Benedetti is not new, and the story around the 19-year-old has been building steadily in recent months.

As we’ve covered, the Premier League side have already tracked the centre-back and seen approaches around €10m (£8.6m) go nowhere. Palmeiras have held firm on a higher valuation, closer to €20m (£17.2m).

More recently, there have even been indications the Brazilian club could sanction a sale – although potentially after a loan spell to increase his minutes.

That broader context now makes fresh comments from inside Palmeiras’ academy even more relevant.

Former coach details why clubs are interested

Speaking to PodPorco, former Palmeiras U20 manager Lucas Andrade gave a detailed assessment of Luis Benedetti, explaining why the defender has attracted attention from Europe.

“Benedetti is a spectacular centre-back, maybe a complete player, and I’m saying this having worked with players like Vitor Reis. But Benedetti is a guy who is 2 metres tall and reaches 36 km/h.”

If you don’t recall, Vitor Reis is a former Palmeiras centre-back bought by Manchester City in 2025. He is corrently on loan at Girona and is seen as a future elite defender.

Andrade then addressed the challenges of breaking...