Two squads named, two omissions
Community Shield, left out. Opening weekend of the Premier League, left out again. Mikel Arteta has not had to say a word about Gabriel Martinelli’s future, and the message has landed anyway.
The Athletic report that Al-Hilal have opened talks with Arsenal over the Brazilian, who is a priority target for the Saudi club before the window shuts.
The 25-year-old is said to be receptive. That is the part that matters.
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He turned down 45 million a few weeks ago
Galatasaray came in earlier this summer with 45 million euros. Martinelli said no, because at that point he still thought there was a season to be had at the Emirates.
Arsenal are now understood to want somewhere near 70 million for a player whose deal runs to 2027. That is a big number for a winger who cannot get on the pitch, but the Gunners know Al-Hilal have the money, and they know a contract with under two years left is a depreciating asset.
Tzolis has taken the shirt
Christos Tzolis came in this summer to cover for Leandro Trossard’s exit and settled immediately. The wide rotation has been rebuilt around him, and Martinelli is not in it.
Timing is the problem now. Days left in the window, Arsenal weighing a deal their own side is framing as good business rather than a football decision.
Martinelli came out of Ituano and landed in north London in 2019 as an 18-year-old. Seven seasons, the whole Arteta rebuild, start to finish. He may find out he is leaving from a Sunday report in the English press.
Nothing signed. Al-Hilal are pushing.
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