Martinelli Transfer Shock as Saudi club Al-Nassr tables £73M bid for Arsenal star after failed pursuit of Liverpool’s Luis Díaz.
Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, home to global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, are reportedly preparing a £73 million bid for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, after being firmly rebuffed in their pursuit of Liverpool’s Luis Díaz. Liverpool have made it unequivocally clear that the Colombian winger is not for sale, having already turned down approaches from both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. With that door slammed shut, Al-Nassr pivoted swiftly to Gabriel Martinelli, viewing the Brazilian as a dynamic and attainable alternative, triggering what many are calling a transfer shock in this already heated summer window.
According to report from GiveMeSport, Al-Nassr are preparing a €85 million (£73 million) offer for Martinelli—more than double Arsenal’s current record sale of £35 million for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Saudi club has even requested central funding to finance the deal, underlining their intent to land a high-profile winger this summer.
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While Arsenal are not actively looking to sell Martinelli, insiders suggest that such a substantial offer could test their resolve, especially as the club eyes reinforcements like Rodrygo from Real Madrid and Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
Martinelli, 24, has been a key figure under Mikel Arteta, racking up 51 goals and 29 assists in 225 appearances since joining from Ituano in 2019. Despite his importance, some fans have called for more competition on the left wing, potentially opening the door for a reshuffle.
Al-Nassr’s pursuit of Martinelli is part of a broader strategy to rebuild their attack following the expected loan departure of Jhon Duran to Fenerbahçe. The club is reportedly offering Martinelli a tax-free salary package worth €20 million per year, nearly triple his current wages at Arsenal.
The chance to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Martinelli’s childhood idol, could also be a persuasive factor. In a past interview, the Brazilian admitted: “The person I looked up to was always Cristiano Ronaldo. I used to watch him a lot when I was growing up.”
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