Arsenal sanction Martinelli move amid Julian Alvarez decision

Arsenal sanction Martinelli move amid Julian Alvarez decision originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Arsenal have given Gabriel Martinelli permission to complete a move to Al-Hilal as Mikel Arteta continues to push for the signing of Julian Alvarez before the transfer window closes, The Sporting News understands.

Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal hope to announce the Brazil international’s signing over the weekend, with the 25-year-old expected to sign a contract worth more than $23m (£17m) per year.

The transfer will represent a club-record sale for Arsenal, comfortably surpassing the £35m they received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal will not receive the entirety of the transfer fee, however, because former club Ituano negotiated a sell-on clause when Martinelli moved to north London for around £6m in 2019.

Martinelli trained with Arsenal’s first team on Friday morning and Arteta maintained publicly that the forward remains his player for now.

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What did Mikel Arteta say about Gabriel Martinelli?

“That’s a personal situation that we are dealing with,” said Arteta, making reference to the decision to sideline Gabriel Jesus from first-team training due to numbers being too high.

“Everybody knows and recognizes how much we love Gabi [Martinelli]. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everyone agrees to that.”

Martinelli’s likely exit follows talks with Arteta earlier this month, when it was made clear that his opportunities would be reduced this season.

The Brazilian was left out of the matchday squad for both the Community Shield and Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City, with Christos Tzolis currently ahead of him in the pecking order on the left.

Arteta suggested the conversations with Martinelli and Jesus had been difficult but positive.

“I’m very satisfied how these conversations went. I know what is in each other’s hearts and the words that came through in those conversations made me really happy.

“It is inevitable that at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things which are tough.”

Who else could leave Arsenal in the transfer window?

Martinelli may not be the only senior forward to leave Arsenal before the deadline. Jesus has also been training away from the main group amid interest from Napoli and Everton.

The 29-year-old has one year remaining on his Arsenal contract and could choose to stay in north London, although his prospects of regular football appear limited and he is currently viewed as the club’s third-choice option through the middle.

“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations. Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it’s clear,” said. Arteta.

Arsenal’s willingness to sanction Martinelli’s departure comes as they make one final attempt to strengthen Arteta’s attacking options.

Alvarez remains the standout target and while Arsenal are aware a deal will be difficult to complete at this late stage of the window, the latest contact has given them enough encouragement to continue pushing.