Arsenal in line to break another transfer record as they push to get £60m deal done
Arsenal’s fans have long lamented the club’s inability to get big money for players they move on.
As it stands, the current record sale remains that of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool for around £35m nearly a decade ago.
Since then, Arsenal have moved plenty of players on but have struggled to bring in the sort of fees many feel match the current market, while some have even left for nothing.
However, with Gabriel Martinelli potentially being shown the exit door, the cash-rich Middle East might be about to help Arsenal break their record.
Arsenal could end up with £60m for Gabriel Martinelli
There has been talk of a deal worth around just £35m-40m for Gabriel Martinelli and on paper, that sort of money seems so small for a player of his quality.
Now, though, it looks like Al-Hilal could come to Arsenal’s rescue.
David Ornstein has reported that the Saudi Arabian club are pushing to do a deal with Arsenal and are willing to pay over the £45m the Gunners asked for Galatasaray.
Indeed, Ornstein states that Arsenal are looking to bring in potentially £60m for Martinelli.
That sort of number would be a huge upgrade on the current record sale, coming in at £25m more than the sale of Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Clearly, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are ready to move on from Martinelli and this interest from Saudi is perfect.
Why Ian Wright is unhappy about Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli is clearly on his way out one way or another. The signing of Christos Tzolis and the pursuit of even more additions, coupled with Martinelli being dropped from the two squads so far, shows his time is up.
However, club legend Ian Wright isn’t happy about it. Speaking on Friday night, Wright lamented how Arsenal are treating Martinelli.
“The way Gabriel Martinelli is being treated is making me feel uncomfortable. He always gives 100 percent. We’re not saying he’s the greatest, he’s scored some important goals. The way he’s being treated at the end there and I know they might want him out but there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well,” Wright said.
“He’s not being spoken to, he doesn’t know what’s going on – I know this. I know this is going on. Not being involved tonight or last week. Look, if you bring in Vini then Martinelli might say ‘Well I might be third here’ but looking at Madueke on the other side he might be feeling I can be there.
“I just feel like he’s done enough in this squad with this team to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s been treated with at the moment.”
Arsenal need zero distractions this season. Getting Martinelli out, then, seems like a priority now.
