Former Arsenal scout, Francis Cagigao has revealed that Barcelona could have signed Gabriel Martinelli before he joined the Premier League giants.
Ironically, the Brazilian international, described as ‘electric’ by Aaron Ramsdale was reportedly being scouted by Xavi’s side at the World Cup.
Luckily for Arsenal, they wrapped up a deal for Gabriel Martinelli instead of Barcelona, as per ex-club scout Francis Cagigao, with the youngster going on to become the most in-form left-winger in the Premier League this season.
Barcelona could have signed Gabriel Martinelli instead of Arsenal, as per Francis Cagigao
In an interview with Spanish outlet AS, ex-Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao said that Barcelona could well have signed Gabriel Martinelli before he made a switch to the Gunners.
“He [Gabriel Martinelli] played at Ituano, an hour and a half from Sao Paulo. We had him on the radar from grassroots football. We had doubts, but I started to go see him and he totally convinced me. Manchester United was able to sign him, but they didn’t, and so did Barça, because he was testing in La Masía, but they discarded him and we went in there with force so that he didn’t escape”, Francis Cagigao said.
Signing the youngster was one of the smartest decisions made by Arsenal
Cut to the present and the £180,000-a-week ace recently signed a contract extension, who Edu Gaspar said has ‘big ability.’
Edu is spot on and so were Arsenal and former scout Francis Cagigao to ensure Barcelona do not beat them to the signing of the ‘aggressive’ Gabriel Martinelli.
The youngster is easily one of the most talented wingers in the world and at just 21 years of age, the world is his oyster.
With the player also clearly buzzing with life at the Emirates Stadium, it seems as if the pair were always destined to be together in some ways.
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