Gabriel Martinelli Injury Update: Arsenal Winger’s Shock Return Date Announced After Training Setback

Arsenal may be about to field their biggest transfer call of the summer as fresh reports claim Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have prepared a record-shattering €85 million (£73 million) proposal for Gabriel Martinelli, a fee that would eclipse every previous sale in the club’s history and hand the Gunners an unexpected windfall. The Brazilian’s stellar 2024/25 campaign—15 Premier League goals, eight assists, and a string of match-winning moments—has driven global interest just as Arsenal weigh up how best to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s squad for a renewed title push. Why Al-Nassr’s money matters • Cristiano Ronaldo’s club continue to front the Saudi league’s aggressive recruitment drive. • A package worth €85 million would free up significant funds for Arsenal’s own striker search, with Benjamin Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres both admired at the Emirates. • At 24, Martinelli is viewed as a marquee name who can grow the Saudi brand, mirroring last summer’s swoop for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah that ultimately fell short. European giants still circling It isn’t only the Gulf state flexing its financial muscle. Bayern Munich are also reported to be monitoring the situation as they seek wide-attacking reinforcements after the departure of Kingsley Coman, and the Bundesliga champions are said to be “lining up an ambitious move” for the winger. Arsenal’s internal plan: Martinelli through the middle? Arteta remains reluctant to lose one of his most explosive attackers and is even testing the idea of deploying Martinelli as a central striker to unlock a new tactical dimension next season. Pushing the Brazilian inside would allow Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard to keep their wide roles while sparing the club a nine-figure outlay on a natural No. 9. Key factors that will decide Martinelli’s future 1. Player ambition: Martinelli has never hidden his desire to cement himself as a Premier League and Champions League star; regular European football may outweigh a lucrative Saudi move. 2. Financial leverage: Arsenal must balance spending on a striker, a left-back and midfield depth; an €85 million sale could fund two top-class arrivals. 3. Contract security: The winger signed a new deal last year running to 2029, so the Gunners hold all the negotiating power and can demand a premium fee. What happens next? Arsenal chiefs are expected to meet Martinelli’s representatives before pre-season tours commence later this month. Should the player indicate he is open to a fresh challenge, the club will push for maximum value—potentially triggering a multi-club bidding war that could redefine the 2025 summer market. For supporters, the scenario is déjà vu: another homegrown-style favourite attracting staggering sums from abroad. Whether Arsenal bank the cash or double-down on their Brazilian speedster, Gabriel Martinelli’s name is set to dominate headlines—and search results—until the window slams shut.