Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with Arsenal.
Arsenal are leading Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Watford to sign the coveted Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli this summer, according to Globo Esporte.
The teenage midfielder has long been seen as one of the most promising young talents to emerge out of the nation that produced some of the world’s greatest ever play-makers, such as Kaka, Rivaldo and Zico.
Martinelli is currently playing in the Brazilian top flight with FC Ituano but it seems he is heading for Europe.
UOL claimed last week that Crystal Palace and Watford are keen to offer Martinelli a chance in England with the report adding that it would cost around £7 million to convince Ituano to sell.
Globo Esporte, however, believes that Arsenal is the most likely destination despite interest from 24 other clubs across the continent. The Gunners sent scouts to watch Martinelli during the Copa Sao Paulo Junior championships recently.
“To be honest we expected (his rapid rise) 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,” Martinelli’s agent, Marcos Casseb, told Globo.
It is believed that the youngster is applying for an Italian passport to smooth over a potential summer switch to English shores. And it seems that Arsenal fans can expect to see Martinelli posing in red and white before too long.
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