Hansi Flick Press Conference Before La Liga Match Against Real Madrid
Barcelona are keeping tabs on both Gabriel Martinelli and Kingsley Coman (Picture: Getty)
Barcelona are considering a shock move for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s most important attacking stars in the last few seasons at the Emirates – although he did register a series of inconsistent performances in the 2024-25 campaign.
Martinelli has registered 51 goals and 29 assists across 225 games for the Gunners to date and remains popular among many Arsenal supporters.
But after Arsenal’s trophyless 2024-25 season – which saw them finish as Premier League runners-up for the third season in a row – Martinelli has now attracted transfer interest from La Liga champions Barcelona.
Spanish outlet Sport have reported that Barcelona will explore a potential summer deal for Martinelli if they can’t sign Luis Diaz or Marcus Rashford.
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Barcelona have been strongly linked to Rashford – but it has emerged that they are not willing to spend €40m on him and would prefer a loan deal.
Manchester United, though, are believed to want a permanent exit for Rashford, which is forcing Barcelona to consider other transfer targets.
Arsenal FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Gabriel Martinelli has also attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League (Picture: Getty)
Martinelli is one of the alternatives for the Catalan club but the Arsenal winger is not the only player Barcelona are currently keeping tabs on.
If they can’t sign Diaz or Rashford, Barcelona will also explore a deal for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman.
It should also be noted that Martinelli is under contract at Arsenal until 2027 with the option to extend his deal by another year.
Aston Villa v Cardiff City - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
Barcelona are not willing to spend €40m on Marcus Rashford (Picture: Getty)
Former Gunners defender Nigel Winterburn, though, believes that Arsenal will eventually replace Martinelli after his ‘erratic’ form this season.
‘His form has been a bit erratic this season,’ Winterburn exclusively told Metro via best live casinos.
‘He definitely needs to get back to the consistent levels of performance that we’ve seen in the past that we know he can produce.
‘However, it wouldn’t surprise me, if I’m honest, if Arsenal brought someone in on that left-hand side to be a challenge and eventually replace Martinelli next season.’
As well as Barcelona, Martinelli is also reportedly attracting interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League ahead of the summer transfer window.
‘Going to Saudi Arabia is huge money but Martinelli is still a young man and I don’t know if I would be comfortable making that move,’ Winterburn added.
‘That league isn’t strong and it may never be strong. They’re trying to build something but that’s going to take many, many years.
‘There only reason he would be going would be for the money and I won’t judge him on that but he’s on huge amounts anyway and you want to be in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.’
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