Arsenal could be set to lose one of their most-prized assets in the upcoming transfer window, according to reports - with suggestions that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are in the market for Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners star has become a key player for Mikel Arteta, and after some wavering form over the past two seasons, he's stepped up his ability this season by helping the Gunners go seven points clear in the Premier League table with just 16 games to go.
However, this season could be his last hurrah, with Saudi clubs seemingly keen on a huge haul of Europe-based stars at the end of the campaign, as well as Arsenal being open to a deal for the 'frightening' Brazil international.
Report: Saudi Pro League Want Martinelli, Arsenal Open to Deal
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli
The report by GIVEMESPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs on talkSPORT states that Saudi Pro League dealmakers are targeting 50 foreign signings this summer, with a major movement expected after the 2026 World Cup comes to a close in mid-July.
And one of those targets is Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli. Al-Nassr are viewed as a 'genuine contender' to land the Brazilian, with Arsenal being open to a sale, knowing that Andrea Berta is exploring a new starting man in that position for the start of next season.
Martinelli snubbed any advances from the Saudi Pro League last season and although it remains to be seen whether he will change his mind after the 2026 World Cup, Arsenal's search for a new winger could push him out of the exit door.
Other targets include Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid, though he will likely cost a world-record transfer fee that eclipses Neymar's move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, and Martinelli represents a much more attainable player.
Selling Martinelli Would Be a Sad End to His Arsenal Career
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli
Champions League - Arsenal v AS Monaco - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 11, 2024 Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Martinelli has been a superb servant for Arsenal, now entering his seventh season at the football club.
He joined the Gunners in 2019 from Ituano, a fourth-division side in Brazil, under Unai Emery, and has slowly but surely become a real first-team option for the Gunners with Mikel Arteta at the helm.
The speedster notched 15 league goals in the 2022-23 campaign as Arsenal fell short of the title with just one game to go, and although he's not hit that same form since, he's played a key role for the Gunners over the years.
60 goals in just 252 games is a top record, and with five goals in six Champions League games this season, he could be key to securing a European trophy.
If Arsenal can succeed when the stakes are high, it could very well be that Martinelli bows out as a hero if he can drag Arsenal to silverware before any potential move abroad.