Galatasaray test Arsenal’s resolve with €45m offer for Gabriel Martinelli

Galatasaray have made a formal €45m offer to Arsenal for Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Plettenberg, who works for Sky Sport Germany, reported on Wednesday that the proposal for the 25-year-old is now with Arsenal’s management. Martinelli has emerged as the Turkish club’s main target during the current summer transfer window.

The offer represents a significant move by Galatasaray as they seek to strengthen their squad with an established Premier League player. Martinelli is regarded as one of Arsenal’s key attacking options and remains under contract with the London club until 2027, with Arsenal holding an option to extend the agreement for a further year.

There has been a clear drive from Turkish clubs this summer to recruit high-profile players from the Premier League. Galatasaray’s approach for Martinelli follows other notable activity in the Turkish transfer market, including moves involving Arsenal and Liverpool players.

Besiktas have already completed the signing of Belgium international Leandro Trossard from Arsenal during this transfer window. The deal was worth €18m, with a further €2m available in add-ons.

Trossard, 31, brought to an end a three-and-a-half-year spell with the north London club by making the move to Turkey. He made 174 appearances for Arsenal and scored 36 goals during his time with the club.

The Turkish market has also witnessed an even bigger move in terms of public profile this summer, with Egypt forward Mohamed Salah joining Trabzonspor after ending his career with Liverpool.

Galatasaray’s proposal now gives Arsenal a decision to make over Martinelli’s future. The Brazilian remains tied to the club for at least two more seasons, while the additional extension option gives Arsenal further contractual control.

For Galatasaray, Martinelli is currently the priority target, and the formal bid places the next stage of negotiations in Arsenal’s hands. No agreement has been reported, but the €45m offer confirms the Turkish club’s intention to pursue the forward seriously.

The development comes as Premier League talent continues to attract strong interest from Turkey. Trossard’s move to Besiktas and Salah’s transfer to Trabzonspor have already made this a prominent summer for transfers between English football and the Turkish top flight.

Martinelli’s possible departure would therefore be another major Premier League-related deal in the Turkish market, although Arsenal have yet to indicate whether they are prepared to accept Galatasaray’s proposal.