According to reports in Italy, Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli this summer. To sweeten the offer, the Italian club are preparing a swap deal involving the young Brazilian forward and the Gunners’ January midfield target Arthur Melo.
The 20-year-old has been one of the most important players for the North London this season. He has been deemed as a future star, having already fixated his place in the starting XI under Arteta. He has scored 6 goals and registered 6 assists in 29 Premier League appearances this season.
The Old Lady are eager to bolster their attacking line in the upcoming transfer window. On-loan duo Alvaro Morata and Moise Kean have uncertain futures in Italy, while it has already been confirmed that fan-favourite Paulo Dybala will be leaving the club on a free transfer. Manager Massimiliano Allegri is in dire need of a forward who can share the workload with his marque January signing, Dusan Vlahovic.
According to Calciomeracato (via Mirror) Juventus are keen on signing Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli this summer. The report suggests that the Italian giants are preparing a swap deal involving Arthur Melo to tempt the Gunners into accepting their offer.
📰✍️| #Juventus are interested in a swap deal involving #Arthur Melo for Arsenal striker Gabriel #Martinelli.
— Juventus Area (@juventus_area) June 3, 2022
Arsenal tried signing the Brazilian midfielder in January on loan but the deal fell through due to Juventus’ unusual demands. The Gunners still remain interested in Arthur and the Serie A club want to capitalise on this. However, it will be difficult for the Old Lady to convince the North London side into selling him, considering the importance of Gabriel Martinelli.
Should Arsenal Risk Losing Gabriel Martinelli In Exchange for Arthur?
Signing Arthur will offer Arsenal more choices in the midfield with an option to play a different system. However, losing Martinelli will mean losing a player with great potential. Arthur may allow the Gunners to play in a 4-3-3 formation like many big European clubs. The 25-year-old midfielder has the ability to provide key passes and create chances in the final-third.
However, Martinelli has undeniable potential. The young forward’s work rate is very crucial in the big games. His impact against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium was massive. He played an important rotating role with Emile Smith Rowe in the crucial 2nd part of the season where they picked up wins regularly, creating a dilemma for coach Mikel Arteta to choose between the two.
The swap deal is certainly a gamble for Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli might be a more profitable signing for Juventus. However, there is not enough certainty if Arthur can shine in North London. The Brazilian midfielder arrived in Italy after a sucessful spell at Barcelona, but has failed to impress with the Bianconeri and found it difficult to win over Allegri this season.
Arthur is a player who likes to play it safe and rarely makes risky passes. The Gunners could take it as a plus point since he will help them have control in the midfield. However, what is concerning is his track record of underperforming at big clubs.
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If the North London side do decide to go forward with the move and if in case the 25-year-old fails to meet the expectation, then it will be a double whammy for the Gunners as they will have already lost a promising young forward in Martinelli. At the moment, it seems more sensible for Arsenal to keep hold of their young forward and look for other midfielders.
The other option could be asking Juventus for another player who has more chances of being successful at the Emirates Stadium while offering Gabriel Martinelli. Nevertheless, Martinelli is a player to look out for in the future and the Gunners will not want to regret letting him go only to see him become an elite player later.
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