Potential Gabriel Martinelli replacement for Arsenal has just decided he’s joining Man City
Arsenal’s search for a new left-sided player will continue on after one of their potential targets has decided to join Manchester City instead.
Despite signing Christos Tzolis, the departure of Gabriel Martinelli has left a hole in the Arsenal squad that Mikel Arteta is keen to fill.
Players like Vinicius Jr, Julian Alvarez and Eli Kroupi Junior have all been mentioned as players of interest.
However, another potential signing, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, has now decided he’s on his way to Man City.
Cody Gakpo decides to join Manchester City
The name of Cody Gakpo might not be the one most have brought up this summer in relation to Arsenal.
However, TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook reported earlier today that he had indeed heard Gakpo being mentioned as a potential Arsenal signing.
But now, it looks like that one has been shut down. According to David Ornstein, Gakpo has made the decision to join Manchester City, with a deal now expected to be ironed out between the two clubs.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Cody Gakpo decides to join Manchester City & parties now working to reach agreement. 27yo faced 3-way decision after #LFC signed Bradley Barcola; stay or Tottenham Hotspur also options. Dutch int’l chose #MCFC + talks advancing @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/XNvR05Q3OQ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 29, 2026
Gakpo’s move to City comes as Liverpool have made the move for another potential Arsenal signing, Bradley Barcola.
It means that the market for players Arsenal are keen to bring in to fill that left side slot is narrowing.
With Barcola, Gakpo and more moving elsewhere and Julian Alvarez said to be adamant he is not joining anyone but Barcelona, the Gunners face a race against time to add a new signing.
The transfer deadline comes on Tuesday and Mikel Arteta is desperate to finalise his squad if he can.
If not, then a huge amount of pressure will be put on Tzolis to perform, while Eberechi Eze may also find himself playing out wide a lot more.
