Arsenal may sell Gabriel Martinelli to help fund striker signing

Galatasaray are pushing to complete a deal for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli before the end of the summer transfer window, with a reported £43m offer potentially giving the Gunners a difficult decision to make.

Martinelli would prefer to remain at Arsenal, according to Football Insider, but the Turkish club are continuing to make every effort to secure the Brazil international.

Arsenal are understood to be considering whether a sale could help finance a move for a high-profile striker. The club have found it difficult to complete several of their preferred deals this summer, and may need to raise funds through player departures.

They will also be aware of the transfer market’s recent valuations. Anthony Gordon’s move from Newcastle United to Barcelona was completed for £70m, and Arsenal may believe they could demand a similar fee for Martinelli.

However, Martinelli’s recent scoring record could affect the level of interest in him. He scored only once in 30 Premier League appearances last season and has managed 15 goals in his past 98 matches in the competition.

If selling Martinelli would allow Arsenal to sign a top-class striker, Galatasaray’s reported £43m proposal could therefore merit serious consideration. There has been no further development, however, since the offer was revealed earlier this week.

Arsenal are believed to be interested in Victor Osimhen, who is currently a Galatasaray player. Signing the Nigeria striker could be considerably easier than completing a deal for a player such as Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid.

The need to improve Arsenal’s attacking output is clear. Mikel Arteta’s side scored only 71 goals in the Premier League last season, meaning Osimhen would represent a significant addition to the team if a deal could be agreed.

A sale of Martinelli without the arrival of a replacement winger would nevertheless leave Arsenal with limited options in the wide attacking positions.

Noni Madueke can operate on either flank, while Christos Tzolis is expected to be used in more than one attacking role. Arteta could also be forced to rely more heavily on Max Dowman.

Dowman is only 16 years old, though, and it remains unclear whether he is ready to make a significant contribution to Arsenal’s first team during the coming season.

Selling players may prove important if Arsenal are to generate the money required for further additions. Galatasaray’s pursuit of Martinelli has placed that possibility in focus, but the reported offer has not yet led to any agreement or fresh progress between the clubs.