Mikel Arteta with Fabrizio Romano
Fabrizio Romano delivers more Arsenal transfer news
Arsenal are close to selling Gabriel Martinelli in a transfer that could reach £55million, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal are in the process of overhauling Mikel Arteta’s options at left wing, having sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for €20m (£17m) and replaced him with Christos Tzolis, who joined from Club Brugge for €40m (£34m). They want an elite left winger to compete with Tzolis but have missed out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior so far this summer.
The Gunners plan to sell Martinelli to help fund the addition of a top-class left-sided attacker. Indeed, the Brazilian has been left out of Arteta’s two matchday squads so far this season, fuelling talk he is up for sale.
Saudi club Al-Hilal recently opened talks with Arsenal for Martinelli, and Romano has provided an update on the situation via X.
‘Al Hilal are getting closer to Gabriel Martinelli deal done after club to club talks with Arsenal at final stages,’ the journalist wrote.
‘Fee around £50/55m discussed and #AFC prepared to accept and sell Martinelli.
‘Talks on personal terms ongoing, Gabriel to make final decision soon.’
As per David Ornstein, Arsenal have set Martinelli’s price tag at £60m, which means Al-Hilal are not too far away from meeting their demands.
Galatasaray launched a €45m (£38.5m) bid for the 25-year-old earlier this month. Martinelli rejected the opportunity to head to Turkey, which suggested he wanted continue playing at a high level in Europe.
But according to Ornstein, Martinelli is ‘open’ to the idea of joining Al-Hilal. Perhaps the mega Saudi money has convinced the player to change his mind.
Al-Hilal pursuing Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli
Al-Hilal are aiming to sign both Martinelli and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. We confirmed on Sunday that Al-Hilal are growing confident they will snare the English striker.
Watkins refused to play in Villa’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton as he is keen to make the transfer a reality.
In terms of Arsenal’s possible replacements for Martinelli, we revealed on July 20 that they have revived their interest in Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, who would cost £77m.
The reigning Premier League champions are also admirers of PSG star Bradley Barcola, though Liverpool are favourites to sign the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, we can provide a big update on Arsenal’s stunning pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal stance on Martinelli sale clear as Italian trio consider late window raids to tempt Arteta
Arsenal stance on Martinelli sale clear as Italian trio consider late window raids to tempt Arteta