Arsenal 'to beat 20 clubs' to signing of £6.5m Brazilian teen winger Martinelli

Arsenal are set to bolster their attacking ranks with the signing of highly-rated Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli.

The Premier League club have been keeping tabs on the 17-year-old, who plies his trade in his homeland with Ituano.

Martinelli is one of the hottest properties back in Brazil and has reportedly been monitored by more than 20 top European clubs over the past six months.

The winger recently had a trial with Manchester United , though a move to Old Trafford has failed to materialise thus far.

And according to The Sun , Arsenal have stolen a chase on their rivals by making a £6.5million move for the forward.

It’s understood the club are in advanced talks with the player after agreeing the fee with Ituano.

The teenager would favour a move to London, and the Gunners are now just waiting for him to obtain a European passport before concluding the deal.

The Gunners are also willing to let him remain at Ituano, who are owned by Middlesbrough hero Juninho, for the rest of the year before linking up with his new side in January.

His agent Marcos Casseb has previously spoken about Martinelli having ambitions of a move to a top European club.

He told Globo Esporte: “To be honest we expected this 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.”