Arsenal will have to agree to more than double Gabriel Martinelli’s current contract at the Emirates should they wish to keep him in north London, according to reports.
The Brazilian winger has been in fine form so far this season, with a goal and four assists to his name already as Arsenal sit atop the Premier League. And against Liverpool, he found himself on the scoresheet after just 58 seconds, before terrorising the Liverpool right flank to the point where Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted at half-time.
That sound… 😍 pic.twitter.com/6tE4BzeSFY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 10, 2022
But, speculation continues to swirl around his future, with the Brazilian one of a trio of young stars yet to be tied down to long-term deals at the Emirates. Martinelli has two years to run on his contract at present, though the Gunners have an optional additional year that they are likely to exercise.
After the game against Liverpool, Martinelli re-affirmed his commitment to Arsenal, telling reporters “Of course, I want to stay. We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen. But I want to stay, of course”.
“I think Arsenal is a big club and we have a lot of good players”, he continued. “I think you guys can see from the outside our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game and I think everyone can see that”.
And the Gunners are keen to offer him fresh terms that will tie him down until 2028, a three year extension on his current deal. However, it will require a significant bump on his £70,000 per week salary that was agreed in 2020.
“Negotiations with the 21-year-old’s representatives over improved terms have started but an agreement is not close”, they add.
As it stands, there is no pressure on either party, with Martinelli keen to stay and Arsenal keen to keep him. And, should he continue to perform as he is currently doing, he could prove one of the best investments that the club could make this summer.
