Gabriel Martinelli reacts to Rodrygo’s message after Arsenal transfer reveal
(Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media)
Gabriel Martinelli has reacted to a new message from Real Madrid’s Rodrygo after a new report emerged about Arsenal’s pursuit of the Los Blancos winger.
Arsenal fell short for the third season in a row last time out as they finished second behind Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta is clearly trying to improve his attacking options to aid another title challenge next season.
Football Insider revealed revealed in May that Real Madrid will ask for up to £100million for Rodrygo with the Gunners and Liverpool both believed to be interested in his services.
Arsenal are closing in on a move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, but former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Tuesday (15 July) that the Gunners are still targeting Rodrygo, and he could be allowed to depart the Bernabeu this summer.
Despite their interest, ex-Everton chief Keith Wyness exclusively revealed to Football Insider on Thursday (17 July) that Arsenal will only move for Rodrygo when Madrid drop their asking price, which is now believed to be around £85m, even further.
Rodrygo posts off-season update amid Arsenal links
Former scout Brown recently revealed to Football Insider that Arsenal are planning to accept offers of £70million and above for Martinelli this summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, and Rodrygo would seemingly be his replacement on the left-wing if he was to join.
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Despite the clear potential for that to happen, Martinelli moved to leave a like on his Brazil teammate’s Instagram post on Thursday (17 July), which depicted him on holiday in the USA with family alongside a caption saying: “Days in” with a USA flag emoji.
Rodrygo was already in the States this summer for Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign, which saw him feature just three times off the bench amid widespread rumours about his future as new boss Xabi Alonso instead deployed wing-backs in a back-five formation.
Arsenal should sell Martinelli and sign Rodrygo
Football Insider verdict
Martinelli registered 10 goals and six assists in 51 appearances last season, which is a clear drop-off compared to his 15 goals and seven assists in 46 games in 2022/23, so Arsenal are seemingly happy to let him leave this summer.
Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in May that Arsenal are prepared to accept offers for Martinelli ahead of the new season, while Brown revealed last month that Bayern Munich are targeting a move for Martinelli.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Trophies (team) |
| 270 | 68 | 51 | 13 |
Selling him for £70m and potentially signing Rodrygo for a similar fee would be great business, as the Madrid winger is a better player, has many more trophies to his name, and would help freshen up Arteta’s attacking options even further.
A move for him to join the Gunners seems realistic too, with question marks about how he will be used by Alonso going forward, and so Arsenal should bite the bullet and start approaching Los Blancos for his services while simultaneously trying to sell Martinelli this summer.
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