Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has emerged as a transfer target for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr after Liverpool made it clear that Luis Diaz is not for sale.
Softfootball understands that the Gunners are interested in signing a new left-sided forward this summer, which means an exit for Martinelli should not be ruled out.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is reportedly the Gunners’ ‘dream target’, but they are also looking at Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
Transfer expert David Ornstein has said that Arsenal are unlikely to spend big money on a winger unless Martinelli is sold.
“Arsenal are spinning multiple plates and working on the various positions,” Ornstein explained.
“We know the number nine is the priority for them, and they’ve always wanted to strengthen on the left wing — but they’ve got Gabriel Martinelli, a very fine player there already.
“If he was to leave, then you could see them maybe bringing in a top left-sided winger. If he’s not to leave, then I don’t think so. We’ve talked and reported on the likes of Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon — I think that’s if Martinelli leaves. I don’t necessarily think that that’s if he was to stay.
“Whereas you could look at somebody like Noni Madueke who could come in and be back-up to Saka on the right. He could be an option on the left, potentially, even if Martinelli stayed.
“They’re also looking at things inside — the likes of Eberechi Eze, it’s been well reported, and Morgan Rogers. There are loads of names. James [McNicholas] listed them in the deal sheet this week, so I’m not putting any order on them.
“But we do know that Eze is high among them for that 8-10 role, which is separate to the striker, the left, the right.”
According to Give Me Sport, Al Nassr are preparing for a ‘big July’ after the opening of the Saudi transfer window and view Martinelli as a serious option following Jhon Duran’s decision to join Fenerbahce.
The report claims Al-Nassr requested central funding of €85m (£73m) in order to make a bid for a new winger.
The Gunners are not looking to sell the Brazilian this summer but an offer of that size could well tempt them to do so.
It would smash Arsenal’s club-record sale, which saw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain join Liverpool for £35m in 2017.
Martinelli joined the north London outfit in 2019 for a reported fee of £6million and has since gone on to become a regular feature in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
The 24-year-old has contributed 51 goals and 29 assists in 225 appearances for the but there has been pressure from some sections of the fanbase to sign another left winger.
Recall, Softfootball had previously reported that Arsenal had sacked 26-year-old after four years at the club.
The transfer window is filled with intriguing activities so far, and Arsenal are not left out of the drama as they’ve made a massive decision over one of their star players.
Gunners have terminated the contract of Takehiro Tomiyasu with immediate effect. The defender has struggled with injuries for the past two seasons, making just one substitute appearance during that period.
