FC Ituano midfielder Martinelli looks set for Arsenal after links with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Watford.
Arsenal are edging closer to signing Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli after submitting a bid of around £5.1 million, according to Fox Sports.
The teenage midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to England since the turn of the year. TEAMtalk reported that Championship duo Leeds United and Middlesbrough are interested while Premier League pair Crystal Palace and Watford were linked by UOL.
But it seems that Arsenal have now pulled clear with The Emirates looking like Martinelli’s destination.
Fox Sports believe that The Gunners have made a bid of £5.1 million of the Samba star though top flight Brazilian sides Flamengo, Palmeiras and Corinthians are still hopeful of keeping Martinelli in his homeland for the foreseeable future.
However with Arsenal making their interest clear, and reportedly putting an offer on the table, it seems that Unai Emery’s side are leading the queue right now with Martinelli looking all but certain to leave Ituano during the summer transfer window.
The budget is tight at Arsenal this summer but paying just £5.1 million would give The Gunners plenty left to play with.
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