Galatasaray have made an audacious £38 million move for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, though the Brazilian appears reluctant to leave for Turkey, with Roma also monitoring the situation as Arsenal simultaneously push forward with a separate £40 million approach for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
Galatasaray have made a move to sign Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, tabling an offer worth £38 million for the Brazilian. However, Martinelli is understood to be reluctant to leave for Turkey, complicating any potential deal. Arsenal have placed a valuation of around £50 million on the 25-year-old, meaning Galatasaray’s opening offer falls short of what the Gunners are believed to want, and would likely need to be improved to seriously test the club’s willingness to sell.
Where things stand with Martinelli
Martinelli has been at Arsenal since joining from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019, quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s most exciting young attacking prospects and going on to make more than 200 appearances for the Gunners. He signed a new long-term contract with the club in February 2023, tying him to Arsenal until 2027, with the club holding an option to extend the deal further still.
Despite that security, Martinelli has faced increasing competition for his place in the side following Arsenal’s continued recruitment of attacking players, contributing to a degree of uncertainty over his long-term role at the club. Arsenal’s willingness to listen to offers for the winger does not necessarily mean the club is actively looking to move him on; a substantial bid of this kind could equally form part of a broader strategy to rebuild and refresh the squad.
Why Turkey may not appeal
According to reports, Martinelli is understood to prefer remaining in one of Europe’s strongest leagues, a preference that makes a move to Turkey considerably less attractive to him despite Galatasaray’s clear interest. Galatasaray have grown increasingly ambitious in the transfer market in recent seasons, attracting a number of established international players with the promise of Champions League football and the prospect of major domestic honours, but this ambition alone may not be enough to sway the Brazilian.
Roma’s reported interest in Martinelli is considered potentially more significant, given that a move to Serie A would align more closely with his stated preference for one of Europe’s major leagues, alongside options in England, Spain or Germany.
Arsenal’s wider squad plans
Arsenal are simultaneously working on strengthening other areas of the squad, holding ongoing discussions with Aston Villa over the signing of centre-back Ezri Konsa. The Gunners’ latest proposal for the defender is understood to be in the region of £40 million.
Arsenal’s broader efforts to strengthen their left-hand side could have a direct bearing on Martinelli’s situation at the club: should Arsenal bring in another left-sided attacking option, competition for minutes in that area of the pitch would only intensify further. Any departure by Martinelli would also leave Arsenal needing to replace his pace, direct running and one-on-one ability on the left flank, qualities that have made him a key attacking outlet for the club in recent seasons.
The key question
Ultimately, the outcome of this transfer saga may hinge less on whether Arsenal are willing to accept an improved bid from Galatasaray, and more on whether Martinelli himself would be prepared to move to Turkey at all. His reported preference for football in one of Europe’s major leagues could make any Turkish transfer difficult to complete, even should Arsenal and Galatasaray ultimately reach an agreement on fee.
