Arsenal are open to selling Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli following the completion of Bruno Guimaraes’ £75m move from Newcastle United, according to a report in the English newspaper Metro.
Guimaraes’ arrival adds further strength to Mikel Arteta’s midfield, which already includes Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The transfer is part of a wider reshaping of Arsenal’s squad, with the club also improving Arteta’s options in wide areas by signing Greece international Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for a deal worth £34m.
Arteta approved Tzolis’ arrival after Arsenal allowed Leandro Trossard to leave for Besiktas in a transfer valued at £15m.
However, Trossard may not be the only Arsenal winger to depart the Emirates Stadium this summer. Martinelli has now emerged as another potential departure, with Metro reporting that the club would consider offers for the 24-year-old.
Martinelli has been an important figure for Arsenal since joining the club, making 278 appearances for the London side in all competitions. His long-term contribution has made him one of the established members of Arteta’s squad.
His position, though, appears less secure after a difficult campaign. Martinelli scored only once in 30 Premier League appearances last season and is expected to fall behind new signing Tzolis in Arteta’s pecking order.
The Brazilian’s reduced influence, combined with Arsenal’s increased attacking options, has raised questions over whether he will remain at the club. The report says Arsenal have received an attractive offer from Galatasaray for Martinelli’s services.
No details of Galatasaray’s proposal were given, but the interest adds to uncertainty surrounding Martinelli’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s decision to strengthen both midfield and the wings has increased competition for places across Arteta’s team. Guimaraes joins a midfield group that includes several established and recently added options, while Tzolis provides another alternative in the wide positions following Trossard’s departure.
Martinelli remains one of the most experienced attacking players in the squad by appearance count, but last season’s statistics have weakened his position. His single Premier League goal in 30 matches contrasted with the importance he had previously held in Arsenal’s attack.
The club’s willingness to consider a sale now means Martinelli could follow Trossard out of north London, with Galatasaray reportedly showing a concrete interest. For the moment, Tzolis’ arrival appears to have pushed the Brazilian down the order, while Arsenal assess whether the offer from the Turkish club is sufficient to bring an end to his time with the Premier League side.
