Barcelona likes Gabriel Martinelli and they are plotting to take him away from Arsenal as the Gunners struggle to get him on a new deal.
The Brazilian has emerged as a key player for them in the last few seasons and is now one of their regulars as they top the Premier League table and thrive in Europe.
The Gunners want him to stay and he has also made it clear his future is at the Emirates, but unless he signs on the dotted line, he will continue to be in the eyes of other clubs.
Sport reports Barca likes him a lot and they intend to add him to their squad in the next transfer windows.
The attacker has proven to be one of the best in the world and he is still young, but Arsenal will hardly agree to lose such an important player for any reason.
At 21 years old, Martinelli is already a crucial cog in the Arsenal attack, with Barcelona said to be eyeing him up as a potential attacking addition given their good references of the player.
He is versatile, hard-working and has five goals in 14 Premier League appearances, marking him as a promising option with room to improve for Xavi’s side.
This summer, the six-cap international will only have 12 months left on his contract, meaning Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may sanction a cut-price deal to prevent him leaving for nothing the following year.
The Gunners have been trying to renew his contract and Martinelli is yet to put pen to paper on a new one.
Barcelona reportedly have a ‘very good relationship’ with the player’s camp, with Martinelli aware of their interest, and are monitoring contract developments carefully.
However, there is said to be a broad agreement between both parties for a new and improved four-year deal to keep him at the Emirates, and the former Ituano star is believed to be comfortable living in London.
