Paris Saint-Germain are pushing to sign Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the Champions League final, according to Sports Boom.
The Gunners are in the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, and they'll face PSG on May 30th, who are looking to become only the second team this century to retain the trophy, after Real Madrid.
But both clubs are already turning their attention to next season too, and with the transfer window set to open shortly after the game, PSG have planned to open talks for their first signing, and they want one of their opponents.
PSG Want Arsenal Transfer Talks Before Champions League Final
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli, described as 'frightening', has been a regular for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta but his future at the club has been called into question in recent months after some poor form.
Arsenal are eyeing up a move for a new left-winger this summer, with Bradley Barcola linked heavily, and that means that the Brazilian Martinelli could be allowed to leave if a good offer comes in.
Now PSG are looking to use the fact that club chiefs from both clubs will be in the same place for the Champions League final so they can hash out a deal for the winger, which can then go through once the transfer window opens.
Luis Enrique is understood to be a huge admirer of the 24-year-old, and Arteta is open to letting him leave. As a result, PSG chiefs have given the green light to a move worth around £50m.
Arsenal Can Upgrade on Martinelli Easily
martinelli arsenal
While Martinelli is a player who has great strengths, he also has weaknesses that are quite glaring, and it has shown more often than not this season, seeing him lose his starting place to Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze.
Enrique likes to have very quick players at his disposal, and Martinelli's speed simply cannot be denied. He is a good finisher and works hard, and in a team like PSG where they dominate the ball and attack space regularly, he would fit in very well.
But Arsenal can quite easily find an upgrade for him for the Premier League, and that £50m would go a long way to doing just that, so the north London club should be very open to this deal if it materialises.
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It would be a controversial move.