Rome Transfer Market: Keep an Eye on Martinelli; Messages from Arsenal and His Agents

It’s not just Rodrigo Mora. Roma is also considering another option to bolster Gian Piero Gasperini’s attack. And the name is a big one: Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli is reported to have come closer to joining the Giallorossi in recent hours.

The Brazilian winger, who played for the Seleção led by Carlo Ancelotti at the last World Cup, was a key player for Arteta’s Premier League-winning team last season. In 191 Premier League matches, the left-sided attacker has scored 41 goals and provided 25 key assists. Gasperini has placed him among his top targets and concrete efforts are underway to bring him to Trigoria. Martinelli may leave London: Tzolis’s arrival at the Gunners has reduced his playing time, and his contract—which expires in 2027—is pushing the English club toward an immediate solution, whether a transfer or a contract renewal.

In recent hours, Arsenal reportedly showed some flexibility, indicating a willingness to sell but demanding no less than 40 million euros. According to Corriere dello Sport, the player—born in 2001—would be willing to reduce his salary from 11 million to 8 million euros gross per season. Martinelli has been with Arsenal since 2019. He has made 27 appearances and scored five goals for Brazil, including a goal against Japan in the most recent World Cup in North America.

It’s worth noting that Martinelli isn’t the only Brazilian set to leave Arsenal during this transfer window: Gabriel Jesus, a forward born in 1997, is also on the list of players available for transfer, with his contract set to expire in 2027. The center forward has caught the eye of Napoli, which—following Lukaku’s transfer to Fenerbahçe—is on the hunt for a new number nine.