Corinthians have hit back at claims that midfielder Edu was deported from England because of forged documents and maintain that the £6 million Arsenal target qualifies for a European passport through his Portuguese grandfather.

The 22-year-old - who earlier this month signed a four-year contract with the Gunners - was refused entry to the United Kingdom by immigration officers when he arrived with Arsenal left-back Silvinho at London's Heathrow airport on Tuesday night, reportedly for trying to use a fake passport.

However, the Brazilian club denied the allegations and their director of football Carlos Nujud said both Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein and Edu's agent Juan Figer had said there would be no problems with the deal.