**Aston Villa are set to open talks with Arsenal over Gabriel Martinelli, according to transfer insider Franchise, with suggestions that the framework for a potential deal may already have been discussed during the ownership-level negotiations for Ezri Konsa.**
Should any agreement materialise, it could effectively function as a swap deal on the wider transfer sheet between the two clubs, something Franchise suggests would benefit both parties. Martinelli is reportedly open to competing at other European clubs, adding weight to the idea that a move away from Arsenal this summer is genuinely on the table for the Brazilian.
> Understand Aston Villa are set to open talks with Arsenal for Gabriel Martinelli. Something could’ve been discussed during the discussions for Ezri Konsa, which was at ownership level – would count as a swap deal on the deal sheet if it happened which would benefit both clubs.…
>
> — Franchise 🎳 (@franchisexcl) [August 19, 2026](https://x.com/franchisexcl/status/2090069850567684434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
### Josh Kroenke had to step up to push Ezri Konsa to Arsenal
Franchise also used the update to address wider frustrations that have been going around the Gunners summer business.
Aston Villa (as expected) were difficult to deal with over the Konsa negotiation until Josh Kroenke stepped in personally to help push things forward. This comes given how both the clubs have not been on the same page following Ollie Watkins to Arsenal saga. And it required the North Londoners owners to get involved to resolve the situation and push through the transfer for Konsa.
But when the ownership level talks were held, the Villans also explored Gabriel Martinelli, who Unai Emery knows from his time at Arsenal. And that is a move to look out for going into the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
Would you sell Gabriel Martinelli to Aston Villa if a move were to materialise this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
