Al-Hilal hold talks with Arsenal over Martinelli

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Al-Hilal have held talks with Arsenal over a potential move for winger Gabriel Martinelli, with the Saudi Arabian club prepared to make a bid higher than Galatasaray’s £38.54m offer.

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Martinelli has been told by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta that he is free to leave the club this summer, with the Brazilian no longer considered part of his plans.

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Galatasaray showed interest in the 24-year-old earlier this summer and submitted a €45m (£38.54m) bid for the forward. However, Martinelli was not willing to consider a move to Istanbul.

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As reported by BBC Sport on Sunday, Al-Hilal have now entered the race and have communicated to Arsenal that they are willing to offer more than the Turkish club’s proposal.

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Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 and has one year remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

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The winger made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as Arsenal won the Premier League title. However, he was left out of the squad for their opening league match against Coventry on Friday, which Arsenal won 3-0.

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Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has criticised the club’s handling of Martinelli’s situation, saying he was uncomfortable with the way the forward was being treated.

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“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.

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BBC Sport understands that Arteta has explained his decision to Martinelli and made his position on the player’s future clear.

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Al-Hilal’s interest in Martinelli comes as the Saudi club also pursues Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. The England international was absent from Villa’s opening-day defeat by Brighton, with manager Unai Emery refusing to guarantee that Watkins would remain at Villa Park.

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