Martinelli Transfer Offer Hands Arsenal Golden Opportunity to Erase Shameful Record

Arsenal's first reported bid received for Gabriel Martinelli would shatter a club record that has stood for nine years since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed for Liverpool. However, the Gunners are still hoping to command a higher fee for the Brazilian winger, whom they are willing to let go.

The newly crowned champions fall well short of their Premier League counterparts when it comes to player sales, either offloading players cheaply or failing to drive hard bargains. The fact that the club's record sale remains a deal completed nearly a decade ago is remarkable, particularly given how the transfer market has evolved into what many consider an inflated and uncontrollable environment.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was sold for £35 million ($47.2 million at today's rate) in the summer of 2017. The Englishman forced a move after becoming disillusioned at Arsenal, though Liverpool ultimately failed to get the best out of him due to persistent injuries before releasing him in 2023.

According to The Athletic, Galatasaray are tabling a £38 million ($51.3 million) proposal to lure Martinelli from the Premier League to Türkiye's Süper Lig. The player appears reluctant to leave unless it is for a comparable top European league, which the Süper Lig does not qualify as. There had been speculation linking him with Barcelona before the Catalans completed the signing of Anthony Gordon.

Arsenal are said to be "open" to offloading Martinelli, but the Daily Mail reports the club is seeking a fee closer to £50 million ($67.5 million). Reported interest from Roma, who finished third in Serie A last season and will compete in the Champions League next term, could prove more attractive. However, there is currently no indication of a rival offer materializing.

How Arsenal's Record of Selling Players Compares to Rivals

In a football landscape where clubs increasingly treat players as tradable assets under strict financial regulations, the ability to sell effectively cannot be overlooked. Even top-tier clubs cannot afford to spend heavily without balancing their finances—and it doesn't always have to be because a larger club has made an irresistible offer.

Selling surplus players at a premium is a valuable skill that Chelsea appear to have perfected. Manchester City could also turn a profit on Tijjani Reijnders, a player deemed unable to hold down a regular starting spot, just a year after acquiring him.

Arsenal's club-record Oxlade-Chamberlain sale doesn't come close to featuring in the top three at any of their five main Premier League rivals.

Why Arsenal Need to Upgrade Martinelli

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Selling Gabriel Martinelli would give the Gunners the opportunity to reinforce and improve their left wing, having already replaced Leandro Trossard with a younger option, Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for $45.7 million (£34 million).

Vinícius Júnior will not be joining, as Arsenal's opportunistic pursuit of the Brazilian was quickly followed by the announcement of his new Real Madrid contract. Rafael Leão remains available after informing AC Milan of his desire to explore a transfer. A potential tug-of-war with Liverpool over Bradley Barcola could emerge at the top of the market, while Chelsea's Pedro Neto has also been mentioned as a target—with Manchester City also reportedly keen.

Arsenal paid a modest fee to bring Martinelli to the club from little-known Brazilian side Ituano back in 2019. He has accumulated 278 appearances since, but his output as a two-way winger last season fell short of expectations for a player with ambitions of starting at an elite level. Martinelli managed just five goal involvements in the Premier League, with only one coming after the Champions League's league phase.