Arsenal want Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal are interested in signing Gabriel Martinelli, who currently plays for Brazilian Campeonato Paulista side Ituano.

That’s according to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte, who also claim that Crystal Palace are in the running for the 17-year-old forward, valued at just over £6 million.

Martinelli is a versatile forward, and given his young age a move to either club would likely represent an investment into future successes. He has scored eight goals in his short professional career so far, playing in a total of 27 games in all competitions for his club, and he has had trials with Manchester United and Barcelona.

Together with director of football Raul Sanllehi, Arsenal manager Unai Emery is currently devising plans for a squad revamp, and they are hoping to have former AS Roma director of football Monchi on board soon in the role of technical director.

Martinelli’s agent Marcos Casseb reportedly set no time limit as to when his client would make a move, but he did express a desire to get the youngster’s future sorted out as soon as possible.