Arsenal are reportedly prepared to accept offers for Gabriel Martinelli in the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old has made a total of 223 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions since joining from Brazilian outfit Ituano for around £6m in July 2019.
Martinelli has recorded 51 goals and 29 assists in that time, contributing with 10 goals and six assists in 49 appearances across all tournaments so far this season.
The 16-cap Brazil international has predominantly operated as a left-winger under Mikel Arteta, but he made a notable impact as a centre-forward in last weekend’s 2-2 comeback draw with Premier League champions Liverpool, scoring the first of Arsenal’s two goals as they came from two down to rescue a point.
Nevertheless, former Premier League scout Mick Brown claims that Arsenal are prepared to let Martinelli leave the club, as Arteta eyes an overhaul of his attacking options.
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Could Arsenal sell Martinelli this summer?
Brown, a former chief scout at Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers who remains well-connected within the game, claims that Saudi Pro League clubs have been keeping an eye on the attacker.
The Gunners have subsequently begun working to identify potential ‘replacements and improvements’ on Martinelli, who has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are said to be keen to bolster their options in the wide forward areas regardless of Martinelli’s future, but the North Londoners believe they can sign an upgrade on their No.11.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: “Arsenal are prepared to let Martinelli go. His form has been very up and down, and they’re not 100% satisfied with what he offers.
“Some Saudi clubs have been looking at him, and if they come in with a bid that Arsenal deem acceptable, I don’t think they’ll stand in his way, but it will come down to whether they can bring in a replacement for him.
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Saudi Pro League clubs keeping tabs on Martinelli?
“If they decide to let him leave, they’ll already be working on signing somebody else in his position.
“And that player, whoever it may be because I hear they’ve got a number of targets out wide, will have to be an improvement on Martinelli.
“That’s something Arsenal and their scouts have been working on for a while now, especially given their lack of depth in that position which means they need at least one new signing.
“Arteta wants to improve his team and that’s a position he has identified to strengthen this summer.”
Arsenal are also keen to sign a new centre-forward and have allegedly identified Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres as their ‘top target’, while they have also reached a verbal agreement to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
