Arsenal warned over "inevitable" Martinelli transfer to club on "another level"

Arsenal will have to do “everything in their power” to keep Gabriel Martinelli because it is “inevitable” that transfer offers will arrive, according to ex-Chelsea midfielder Ramires.

Martinelli is currently away on international duty with Brazil at the World Cup, where they will face Croatia in a quarter-final on Friday afternoon. The 21-year-old forward went to Qatar on the back of strong form for Arsenal, who are top of the Premier League.

He has contributed five goals and two assists in 14 league appearances this season, with his form reviving rumours of interest from Real Madrid. Martinelli is currently under contract with the Gunners until June 2024 and the club also holds the option to extend that deal for a further year.

Former Brazil international Ramires believes they need to secure him to a new contract as soon as possible, because other clubs can offer him “another level”.

“It's inevitable that huge clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus will come knocking on the door,” he told Metro. “At Arsenal, he is playing for a huge club with lots of ambition, but of course, there's always going to be another level.

“I'd say it's down to Martinelli and what he wants, you know, it's natural for players like him to think about teams such as Real Madrid, the size and stature of that club, and how it was maybe a childhood dream to play for them.”

Mirror Football reported in October that Martinelli is in line for a new contract, along with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. They are ready to increase his weekly wage from £70,000 to around £200,000 in order to ward off interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.

Martinelli, who joined the club from Brazilian side Ituano for just £6million in 2019, has made it clear that he would be delighted to commit his future to Arsenal. “I'm very happy at Arsenal,” he told reporters last month. “I've said it many times. This is my club. I love to be here. I love the city, I love the club, I love everything about Arsenal. So I want to stay, I'm very happy.”

Ramires thinks that keeping Martinelli will ensure trophies for Arsenal, who haven't picked up any silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2020. “I personally believe that Martinelli still has another level within himself that he's yet to find, because he's still so young, and he's developing,” he added.

“He's improving with every single game, and if Arsenal can keep hold of him, they have a top, top player who can bring so much happiness to the fans in the shape of trophies.”