Arsenal have opened negotiations with Galatasaray over a fee for Gabriel Martinelli after the Turkish club made a formal approach at the weekend, with Roma also entering the picture as the 25-year-old's future at the Emirates Stadium grows increasingly uncertain.
The Gunners received an enquiry from the Super Lig side and talks are now under way, though no deal will be sanctioned until Arsenal identify and secure a replacement on the left wing — a search that has already seen them miss out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior.
Martinelli is into the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, though Arsenal hold a further one-year extension option they can trigger to protect his value. A price tag of between €40m and €45m has been cited, and the Gunners will only consider a sale if they are satisfied they can bring in what they regard as an upgrade on the Brazilian.
Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has begun looking at alternative options, and Martinelli has emerged on his list. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has stated on several occasions this summer — and last summer — that he wants a right-footed forward capable of operating on the left. The club explored moves for Antonio Nusa and Alejandro Garnacho without completing any deals, and Roma also registered an interest in Christos Tzolis before Arsenal moved to sign him. Initial conversations have now taken place with Martinelli's representatives at Roc Nation Sports. Roma, however, are unlikely to have the financial muscle to meet the €11m gross salary the Brazilian earns in north London.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, view Martinelli as a potential alternative to AC Milan's Rafael Leao. Their most recent proposal for the Portugal international — a loan-to-buy structure worth a reported £30m — was rebuffed by Milan, who are seeking around £43m. Should Galatasaray fail to make progress on Leao, they could step up their pursuit of Martinelli, who has also been linked with Fenerbahce. Gala's Leao valuation sits well below what Arsenal would demand for Martinelli.
The Gunners' search for a left-wing replacement has proved difficult. Arsenal watched Bradley Barcola at the World Cup, but PSG's valuation of up to £145m is considered excessive — more than the club had intended to pay for Vinicius Junior. Barcola is also thought to favour a move to Liverpool, who remain in discussions with the European champions. Kenan Yildiz is a player Arsenal like, though the Juventus forward signed a new long-term contract in February and is likely to remain in Turin. Iliman Ndiaye of Everton is another name in circulation.
In pre-season, Tzolis — signed from Club Brugge for £34m — has been Arteta's first choice on the left flank, finding the net against Girona on his debut, providing an assist against Real Betis and then setting up the Gunners' second goal in the 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund. Martinelli has featured only from the bench, appearing as a second-half substitute against Betis and Dortmund, coming on for the final 12 minutes against the German side and scoring in the resulting Emirates Cup penalty shootout.
Speaking after the Dortmund match, Arteta addressed the club's ongoing activity in the market. "Well, that's what we're trying to do (sign more players)," the Spaniard told reporters. "It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that."
Martinelli arrived at Arsenal for just £6m in 2019 and has gone on to make 278 appearances for the club, scoring 62 goals. A sale at the figures currently being discussed would surpass the club's existing record sale — the £35m Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fetched when he joined Liverpool in 2019.
Reporting: Mirror, Football.London, Football Italia.