Why some Arsenal insiders are ‘perplexed’ by Gabriel Martinelli and Savio transfer deals
Arsenal have bid goodbye to Gabriel Martinelli, who will move to Saudi Arabia in a £50m move.
The Brazilian has known for weeks that Mikel Arteta was happy for him to be moved on and it has now come to the point where he is indeed set to seal a move away.
Arsenal will, at least, finally break the record sale of £35m they got for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nearly 10 years ago.
However, that doesn’t mean that some at the club are still completely happy with proceedings.
Arsenal insiders shocked by value of Savio and Martinelli transfers
There has been some big transfer deals this summer as usual and we’ll likely see a few more before the window closes
Of course, Martinelli joining Al-Hilal and across North London, Savio signing for Tottenham for £75m, means we are seeing big moves.
However, according to journalist Miguel Delaney, the £75m Tottenham have paid for Savio has left some at Arsenal questioning the fee they’ve got for Martinelli.
“Likewise Savio. Some at Arsenal were said to be perplexed that Gabriel Martinelli could go for £50m, when his productivity and output over two years have been far superior to his £75m compatriot, “Delaney writes.
“That’s apparently what two Premier League goals in 53 appearances gets, at least if you’re selling within the division – which is a significant aspect to this.”
Clearly, Arsenal have a history of not getting good fees for players.
However, on this occasion, it does feel like £50m for Martinelli is a decent sum, especially for a player in the last year of their contract.
Of course, Tottenham have paid a lot for Savio but his ceiling is high. Come this time in 12 months, we’re more likely to be talking about the new Spurs man than Martinelli.
