Arsenal Seeking Departure for Brazilian Winger
Arsenal remain open to offers for Gabriel Martinelli as the club attempts to reshape its attacking options following a quiet 2025-26 campaign for the Brazilian. The 25-year-old, who made only 11 Premier League starts last term, has been made available for transfer, according to reports from Football365 and Football Insider.
The club’s desire to move the winger on became evident when he was omitted from the squad for the Community Shield. The match also highlighted the arrival of new attacking talent Christos Tzolis, who made an immediate impact with two assists on his debut, further signaling a shift in Mikel Arteta’s tactical priorities.
Contractual Situation and Rejected Offers
Arsenal’s efforts to offload the player faced a setback recently when Martinelli rejected a €45 million (£38.4m) offer from Turkish side Galatasaray. Insiders including David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the player holds no interest in a move to Turkey at this stage of his career, preferring to remain at a club competing at the highest level of European football.
Martinelli is currently approaching the final year of his contract, which is set to expire in the summer of 2027. While Arsenal hold the option to extend the deal by an additional year, the current impasse leaves the club in a difficult financial position. Stefan Borson, a former Manchester City financial adviser, noted that the club may ultimately decide to retain the player if a suitable high-value offer does not materialize, noting that the cost of squad maintenance may outweigh the benefits of a mid-market sale.
Serie A Links and Future Outlook
Despite the failed move to Turkey, dialogue remains open with Italian clubs. Napoli and Roma have both been linked with the Brazilian, with reports suggesting that Napoli has already sounded out the Gunners regarding a potential deal. Unlike the Galatasaray proposal, a move to Serie A is viewed as a more attractive prospect for Martinelli, who would likely back himself to compete for a starting role in a Champions League-caliber squad.
As the transfer window progresses, the focus shifts to whether Arsenal can find a suitor that meets their valuation while aligning with the player’s personal ambitions. For now, Martinelli remains on the books, but his long-term future in North London appears increasingly uncertain as the club prioritizes the integration of new signings like Tzolis.