Arsenal need to sell players to balance their books.
The Gunners have signed six new players already in this window, and apart from Nuno Tavares and a few free transfers, nobody has been moved on yet.
Andrea Berta knows that he needs to move players out in the coming weeks, not just to generate income but also to free up space in the squad.
One player, however, will not be leaving in this window – the decision was made weeks ago.
Arsenal have decided not to sell Gabriel Martinelli for one reason
Gabriel Martinelli is still one of Arsenal’s most important players.
The Brazil international, who was valued at £75m recently, is unplayable on his day, but he hasn’t been anywhere near his best for around two years now.
That has led to some frustration among the fan base, and Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign players like Rodrygo in his position.
However, Sami Mokbel has revealed that Martinelli will not be sold this summer because Arsenal feel that no club will match their valuation of him.
Instead, they want to give him another year to get back to his best. That way, they could either keep him as a key player next season or sell him for more money than they would get for him right now.
Mokbel said on the Latte Firm: “So my understanding of that situation is: at the start of the window, I had a conversation with someone with good connections.
“He alluded to the fact that Gabriel Martinelli wouldn’t be available this summer owing to the fact that because last season perhaps wasn’t his best, there was probably an internal admission that they wouldn’t be able to attract his book value in the transfer market because of his performances.
“I don’t know what that book value is, but there is a concern that they wouldn’t attract those level of offers.
“So I think it has been decided that they will hang on to him for at least another season and maybe revisit that situation next year in hope that he has a good season and he may become untouchable or if he does have a good season maybe they’ll get that book value that they would like to get out of him.”
It’s now or never for Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal
Martinelli is a player with so much ability.
‘Talent of the century’ is what Jurgen Klopp once called him, but over the last two seasons, Martinelli has not been great at all.
The upcoming campaign will be make-or-break for the Brazilian.
If Martinelli rediscovers his form, produces the output that he did in 2022/23, and combines well with Viktor Gyokeres, he will have a big future at Arsenal.
If he doesn’t, we are convinced that Berta and Arteta will have no choice but to cash in on him this time next year.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Shamanth Jayaram