Arsenal suddenly want to sign £60m attacker right after Al-Hilal start Gabriel Martinelli talks
Arsenal are in talks to sell Gabriel Martinelli this summer.
Mikel Arteta left the Brazil international out of his squad for the Community Shield game against Manchester City and the Premier League clash against Coventry.
It is clear that Martinelli has no future at Arsenal anymore, and The Athletic have now claimed that Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia are in talks to sign him.
If Arsenal sell Martinelli, they will need a replacement, and a new name has now emerged from the rumour mill.
Arsenal want to sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Matias Fernandez-Pardo has become a wanted man after his performances for Lille last season.
The Belgium international directly contributed to 15 goals in 33 starts for the French club and established himself as one of their key players.
Still only 21, Fernandez-Pardo has a long way to go before he is a star, but he definitely has the potential to be one in the coming years.
Champions League sides Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig have both tried to sign the young attacker this summer, but their attempts have been unsuccessful.
View this post on Instagram
Lille are desperate to keep their number seven, but in the pre-season friendly against Everton, Fernandez-Pardo refused to come on because he wants to leave.
Now, Foot Mercato have claimed that Arsenal have entered the race to sign the attacker after his ‘explosive’ qualities caught their eye.
The report says that the Gunners are looking for an opening from Lille to enter talks, but they are aware that they will have to spend big money to get him.
Lille are demanding €70 million (£60m) to let Fernandez-Pardo go. It remains to be seen if Andrea Berta will pay that much in the final days of the window.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s style of play suits Arsenal
Fernandez-Pardo is a very versatile player who can play as a striker, on either wing and as a central attacking midfielder if required.
Arsenal fans know Arteta loves players who can play in multiple positions, and that could be one of the reasons why he is interested in the 21-year-old.
Fernandez-Pardo’s biggest strength is his movement. He has the ability to dribble past players irrespective of where he plays, and he is reasonably quick too.
The Belgian also possesses a powerful right foot, and he has shown that he can score screamers from outside the box.
Those traits definitely suit the way Arsenal play, but £60 million on a player who is far away from fulfilling his potential seems like a big gamble.
