Arsenal and Tottenham to battle for Flamengo midfielder

North London outfit Arsenal are to battle rivals Tottenham in the race to sign Gerson from Flamengo, with the player's father confirming interest in the midfielder from the Gunners. 

The 22-year-old played a vital role in Flamengo's 2019 Brasileirao title success and his performances attracted interest from Spurs. 

Jose Mourinho's side had considered making a move for Gerson in January, but they were told they would have to wait until the summer to make their move for the youngster. 

However, Spurs won't have a straight shot at Gerson, with the player's father, Marcos Santos, admitting that Arsenal are monitoring the Brazilian. 

"Nobody knew about Arsenal, but now that I’m telling you so everyone will know," Santos told ESPN. 

"Everyone you hear there is true. But they only probed."

Gerson left Brazilian side Fluminense for Italy in 2016, but struggled to hold down a regular starting spot with Roma before returning to Brazil in 2019. 

And Santos is adamant his son's failure to succeed in Italy was down to mismanagement, adding: "Returning to Brazil was the greatest decision of his career. 

"He stopped being loaned out to various places and is now able to play the way he’s dreamed of. 

"You have to be very tactically disciplined in Italy. He was very young and quite shy when he joined. Plus, they didn’t know what his best position was. 

"They tried him in attack but those roles were already consolidated by Mohamed Salah and Gervinho. Then he lost his place and went to Fiorentina on loan."