Reports claimed that Arsenal would be willing to listen to large offers for Gabriel Martinelli this summer.
Real Madrid are linked with an interest in the Brazilian youngster, but in reality you would be surprised if there was any big sides not following the progress of the 18 year-old, who has gone from the fourth division in his homeland to a regular Premier League player like it is nothing.
The exciting talent forced his way into the first-team plans with a number of destructive displays in the Europa League, and took full advantage of a lack of form from his counterparts Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette.
The youngster has since found first-team action a little harder to come by with Mikel Arteta bringing a number of stars levels back up, including the above, but Martinelli has already expressed his delight at being at Arsenal, whilst admitting he wants to stay to become a club ‘legend’.
Arsenal simply must do all they can to keep the wonderkid at the club, regardless of whatever financial implications it may make, as the potential he possesses will not be replaced in the near future.
Patrick
After this financial melt down If a club offered 50 mill I’d sell him. If any one offers 40m for Lacazette sell him. Take anything over 50 for Aubameyang.
We need the money
While Stevo makes good points, Martinelli’s value will increase quicker the longer he stays with us.
If we’re sitting on 50m and he goes, RM would put 150m on him as a buyout, making him a valueless bench warmer who is constantly under pressure because of his buyout.
Where as by long terming it at Arsenal he gets the game time he wants, the chance to become a legend and his value goes up by 40% to 50% per season, all going well.
I think that pro football will be one of the few industries that will explode into action upon our return from the C19 crisis.
Weedz, Your post is a sound one with much sense about Martinelli. I do NOT see him leaving in the foreseeable future, as MA will be only too aware of his quality and financial value increasing the longer he stays here. Many still young or middling in age players opt to go to Barca and Real and hardly play, or are on the bench. Many ultimately fail to shine at that level.
Not merely by talent or lack of it, but also through internal club politics. A different world out there and so many talented players who may wish to make the same mistake should be properly warned by older folk in the game who know better. Such as Martinelli need to be sat down at a table or computer screen with say MA , who would go through the long list of such players who have effectively disappeared after going there. Forewarned is forearmed, I’d say!
If Mbappe is worth 200m+ and that’s in the the french league he plays, where hes from and isnt a hard league to be fair then Martinelli is at least worth 100m where he been brilliant in England in his 1st season.
Yes he has won the world cup and played well also but Martinelli hasnt been there yet with Brazil and just like he was, is a gem in the making. We signed him to 5 years he is going nowhere. Laca will end up going to raise funds before he does unless a silly offer comes in and that wont happen in this market atm.
Hes the future and he wants to win things at Arsenal so he is staying and next season watch this space.
We must hold! With Salilba, Tierney, Martinelli and Saka I feel we are building a strong core. Add Nketiah, Willock and the academy prospects in Balogun, Azeez etc I feel we are on the right path.