Arsenal are negotiating with Galatasaray over a potential transfer for Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli, but the Gunners are not prepared to sanction the deal until they secure a replacement on the left wing.
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| Arsenal open Gabriel Martinelli transfer talks with Galatasaray as replacement becomes key |
Galatasaray make approach for Martinelli
According to reports from Football.London and talkSPORT, Galatasaray made an enquiry about Martinelli after the Turkish club turned their attention to the Arsenal winger. Talks are now focused on a potential transfer fee, although no agreement has been reached and Arsenal's position is clear: Martinelli can only leave if the club brings in another left-sided attacker first.
The 25-year-old Brazilian has entered the final year of his Arsenal contract, although the club have an option to extend it for another season. Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and has since established himself as a regular part of Mikel Arteta's squad, primarily operating from the left wing.
Arsenal still need a replacement
The timing of the negotiations is particularly significant because Arsenal have already missed out on two major options for the position. Morgan Rogers was previously targeted, while Vinicius Junior ultimately remained at Real Madrid, leaving Arsenal without the left-wing replacement they would want before approving Martinelli's departure.
Martinelli's 2025/26 campaign also underlines why Arsenal need to consider the move carefully. He made 53 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists according to season statistics, while FIFA noted that he started 25 of those matches during Arsenal's Premier League-winning and Champions League-final campaign.
No transfer fee has been officially agreed with Galatasaray, and the current negotiations therefore remain dependent on Arsenal's recruitment plans. For now, Martinelli remains an Arsenal player, with the possibility of a move to Turkey increasingly dependent on whether the Gunners can find the attacking replacement they have been seeking.