Brazilian outlet UOL brings today a pretty interesting story about Arsenal’s chase for the Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli.
According to the website, club scout Everton Gushiken has been at the Allianz Parque two weeks ago, where he watched the Ituano striker playing an away match against Palmeiras.
It’s claimed that Arsenal’s interest in the 17-year-old is ‘concrete’, and talks with the Brazilian club have been developing recently.
UOL says the Gunners could pay up to €8m in a deal which is ‘being discussed’. The fact that the player is in the process of getting an Italian citizenship also favours the move.
Martinelli has been followed by European sides for a long time, with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United calling him for a trial period a couple of years ago.
Now Crystal Palace and Watford are said to be interested as well. And although Brazilian clubs like Cruzeiro, Flamengo and Santos have shown their interest, it’s unlikely they can compete with the European clubs.
Martinelli played in the Copa São Paulo, a youth tournament, in January. Right after that, he was promoted to Ituano’s first team, and has four goals and three assists in ten appearances in Campeonato Paulista.
