Darren Bent believes it is ‘fantastic news’ that Arsenal are set to award Gabriel Martinelli a new contract. He also hints the new deal could frustrate Liverpool by blocking any transfer.
Arsenal are keen to lock Martinelli down with fresh terms at Emirates Stadium with the 21-year-old only contracted to 2024. But his £90k-a-week deal gives the Gunners an option to extend it by another 24 months. Yet after his sensational season, they want him for longer.
Martinelli has scored seven goals and laid on two assists over his 19 Premier League games so far this term. He is among the seven Gunners players who Mikel Arteta has started in all of the club’s table-topping run. Only Martin Odegaard (8) has also struck more goals so far.
Arsenal are now set to award Gabriel Martinelli a new contract through to 2027
Now, Arsenal are eager to lock Martinelli down and The Athletic reports he will sign a new contract through to 2027. The Brazil star has agreed to personal terms to extend his career with the Gunners. He will land a pay rise, with a draft deal in the process of being finalised.
Martinelli moved to north London from his academy side in Brazil, Ituano, in July 2019 for just £6m. The six-cap winger now boasts 25 goals and 16 assists through 111 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners. But his efforts have attracted interest elsewhere.
One club with a clear admirer in Martinelli is Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp publicly declaring his appreciation of the Arsenal forward multiple times. So, Bent believes it is great for the Gunners to get the Brazilian to commit his future at a time he is performing at a high level.
“Martinelli has been phenomenal,” Bent has said on talkSPORT. “He’s been brilliant. If you remember, there was a bit of a flirtation with Liverpool because Jurgen Klopp spoke highly of him and really liked him. But that’s fantastic news for Arsenal.”
Interest in Gabriel Martinelli has extended throughout Europe in recent months
Back in November 2019, Klopp went on record with his appreciation for Martinelli with the Liverpool boss calling the Arsenal star ‘a talent of the century’, via the Metro. The German doubled down in January 2022 after dubbing the Brazilian as ‘outstanding’, via the Mirror.
Klopp was at it again in March 2022, as well, as the Reds coach told Sky Sports ‘Martinelli is such a talented boy’. But interest in the forward has extended throughout Europe over recent months as more and more clubs took an interest in Martinelli’s situation at Arsenal.
Recently, Media Foot reported that Paris Saint-Germain were weighing up his transfer this January. While the Daily Mail suggested in October that Chelsea were among the clubs to monitor his situation. Sport also credited Barcelona with an interest in the Arsenal winger.
AC Milan have considered trying to lure Martinelli to Serie A, too, per CalcioMercatoWeb. But Arsenal are now set to frustrate the committee of vultures circling over the Emirates for his transfer and get Martinelli to sign a new contract, which he has now more than earned.
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