Arsenal ‘should be destination’ for starlet, agent says he has 25 offers, Gunners ‘closest’ to deal

Arsenal ‘should be the destination’ for the Ituano youngster Gabriel Martinelli, according to the Brazilian media today.

Outlet Globo Esporte has a story on Monday about the big competition there is for the starlet, but claims that Arsenal are the club who are ‘closest’ to finding a deal for the attacker.

They say the London side had watched him in a youth tournament in January, and later sent a scout to Ituano’s match against Palmeiras.

The information is all from Globo Esporte, but Marcos Casseb, the player’s agent, has also given them an interview, backing up claims of a huge competition for his signing.

“To be honest we expected this to happen. His evolution since last year is very fast, he is above average. The initial planning is for him to go straight to Europe,” Marcos Casseb told Globo Esporte.

Casseb has claimed that there are 25 clubs interested in Martinelli. That’s eight from Brazil, five from England, six from Spain, four from Italy and two from France. Only the Brazilian sides are named, and are claimed to be Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, Santos, Cruzeiro, Atlético-MG, Flamengo and Fluminense.

Gabriel Martinelli | From Brazil: @LucasSposito_ takes a look at Arsenal’s transfer target, and explains why the Gunners would need to move quickly.https://t.co/QyCeQerT3Z #afc

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 15, 2019