GABRIEL MARTINELLI could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer, according to reports.
The winger lost his place in the Gunners’ first team to Leandro Trossard last season, while Greek winger Christos Tzolis was signed this summer in a £34million deal from Club Brugge.
Gabriel Martinelli was the subject of a transfer enquiry by Galatasaray Credit: Getty
Martinelli’s departure could break the club’s sale record Credit: Getty
It has been widely expected Martinelli, 25, would depart for pastures new this summer, even after Trossard’s own exit to Turkish giants Besiktas.
But Martinelli could be set to follow the Belgian to the Turkish Super Lig.
Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter
Thank you!
That’s because, according to talkSPORT, reigning league champions Galatasaray have made an enquiry over his availability.
Galatasaray had been in talks to sign AC Milan outcast Rafael Leao and had earmarked Martinelli as an alternative option.
CRACKER
Win stunning £565k 5-Bedroom Luxury Home & Audi for just £1.79 with our code
Arsenal 2 Dortmund 3
Gunners lose second straight friendly in worrying sign
And they have now made contact with Arsenal over Martinelli’s status after failing to engineer a breakthrough in the Leao talks.
JattvibeSport reported earlier in the window that if Martinelli was sold, he would be expected to depart for higher than the club’s current sale record of £35m paid by Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.
Whether Galatasaray are willing to stump up that sort of money remains to be seen, but it’s understood Arsenal will only sanction an exit for Martinelli if they can find a replacement.
The North London club had been in talks to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, but saw that deal collapse when the Brazilian signed a new deal through to 2032.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
However, JattvibeSport looked at six alternative targets Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta could eye this window.
Among them were Paris Saint-Germain and France winger, Bradley Barcola – wanted by Liverpool but rated at £145m by his club – as well as Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, and Athletic Bilbao and Spanish World Cup winner Nico Williams.
But reports have also suggested that Juventus‘ Kenan Yildiz, Atletico Madrid‘s Julian Alvarez, Everton‘s Iliman Ndiaye and Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi are all on their radar too.
A move for the latter star in that quartet seems very unlikely this summer given he is expected to miss at least four months following foot surgery he had at the end of July.
Martinelli struggled to make an impact last season
Arsenal ticket and hospitality deals
GET tickets to see Arsenal home games with these official deals.
The packages include optional upgrades to VIP hospitality.
21 Aug v Coventry City — BOOK HERE
6 Sep v Chelsea — BOOK HERE
10 Oct v Leeds United — BOOK HERE
24 Oct v Everton — BOOK HERE
7 Nov v Hull City — BOOK HERE
More games available here.
*If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
While the search continues to add a new left winger to Mikel Arteta‘s squad ranks, they added Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle in a £75m transfer.
Arsenal kick off their season with the Community Shield against Manchester City next Jattvibeday, before they host newly-promoted Coventry at the Emirates to start their title defence.
But they have not fared too well in pre-season yet, having lost back-to-back against Real Betis and then Borussia Dortmund.
They have Cesc Fabregas‘ Como in their final friendly on Wednesday before the clash with City at Wembley.
