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Galatasaray Submit €45m Bid for Arsenal Winger Gabriel Martinelli
Summary
LONDON, August 13, 2026 — Galatasaray have submitted a formal bid of €45 million (£38.5m) to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in what would be one of the most significant departures...
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LONDON, August 13, 2026 — Galatasaray have submitted a formal bid of €45 million (£38.5m) to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in what would be one of the most significant departures from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international winger entered the final year of his current contract at Arsenal — reportedly worth approximately £180,000 per week — though the club hold an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. According to ESPN, it is currently unclear whether Martinelli himself would be willing to make the move to Istanbul. Arsenal are now in the process of evaluating the offer.
Galatasaray’s Formal Offer and Plettenberg Confirmation
Sky Sports transfer reporter Florian Plettenberg was among the first to confirm the formal bid. “Galatasaray have submitted an official €45m offer for Gabriel Martinelli today,” Plettenberg posted on August 12, 2026. “The offer is now on Arsenal’s table.” He further added: “Martinelli is currently Galatasaray’s top transfer priority.”
ESPN’s reporting — citing sources close to both clubs — corroborated the €45 million (approximately $51.8 million) figure, noting that the Turkish Super Lig giants have identified the Brazilian as the centrepiece of their summer attacking reinforcement ahead of a new Champions League campaign. Earlier reports from Turkish journalist Haluk Yurekli, published on August 9, 2026, had placed the initial bid at a lower €40 million; subsequent coverage from Plettenberg and ESPN upgraded that figure to €45 million, suggesting Galatasaray raised their offer after an initial rejection.
Martinelli’s Contract Situation at Arsenal
The contract dynamic is central to understanding Arsenal’s position. Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Ituano FC in 2019, has been one of the club’s most prominent attackers in recent seasons. With just one year remaining on his deal — and a club option for a further 12 months — Arsenal face a decision: accept a significant fee now or risk the player leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2027.
According to ESPN, Arsenal have not yet responded formally to the offer, and Martinelli’s own stance on a potential move to Turkey remains uncertain. Sources close to the player have indicated he has not ruled out a departure, but no indication has been given that he has pushed for a move.
Galatasaray’s Transfer Ambitions This Window
Galatasaray’s move for Martinelli is part of an aggressive summer spending drive. According to LiveScore and corroborated by Turkish football outlet Turkiye Today, the Istanbul club have also made a separate approach to Arsenal for 19-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, reportedly proposing a loan deal worth around €5 million for the England youth international — signalling their intent to reshape their attacking options significantly before the transfer window closes.
Galatasaray, who have historically attracted high-profile names in the final weeks of the summer window, are keen to bolster their Champions League squad. The club finished second in the Turkish Super Lig last season and are determined to mount a deeper run in European competition this campaign.
Martinelli’s Career and Value to Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli, born on June 18, 2001, in Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil, has been a key figure in Arsenal’s attacking play since his arrival at the Emirates as a teenager. A pacy, direct left-winger with an eye for goal, Martinelli has become a full Brazil international and was part of the Seleção’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
His market value and prominence make the €45 million bid — while not a negligible sum — somewhat below what Arsenal might expect for a player of his calibre and profile. Analysts and supporters have pointed out that Arsenal’s valuation of the winger is likely higher, though the contracting situation limits their negotiating leverage significantly.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Gabriel Martinelli |
| Current Club | Arsenal |
| Bidding Club | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| Reported Bid | €45 million (£38.5m / $51.8m) |
| Contract Remaining | 1 year (+ club option for 12 months) |
| Player’s Weekly Wage | ~£180,000 per week (approx.) |
| Player Age | 25 years old |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Bid Reported | August 12–13, 2026 |
| Transfer Status | Offer on Arsenal’s table; no decision yet |
Arsenal’s Transfer Window Context
For Arsenal, the Martinelli situation arrives amid a broader summer of transfer activity. Separate reports on August 12, 2026 indicated that Arsenal are monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Rodri, while Spanish publication sources suggested Gunners technical staff have had discussions around reinforcing multiple positions before the window closes.
The club’s sporting director is understood to be assessing whether the €45 million offer — received from Galatasaray — represents sufficient value for a player who is a regular starter. Arsenal’s preference, according to sources cited by Yahoo Sports / BBC Sport, would be to either extend Martinelli’s contract or sell at a fee above their valuation. No counter-offer has yet been communicated to Galatasaray.
This is a developing transfer story. For the latest on high-profile defensive moves this summer, see our report on Atletico Madrid’s £34m deal to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.
What Happens Next
The coming days are expected to be decisive. Arsenal’s board must weigh the financial logic of selling a player entering the final year of his contract against the sporting cost of losing a key attacking threat mid-season. If Arsenal reject the bid or demand a higher fee, Galatasaray may need to increase their offer — or pivot to alternative targets.
For Martinelli, the decision may ultimately rest with the player himself. A move to Turkey and Champions League football with Galatasaray would represent a significant career chapter, but the Premier League and Arsenal remain among the most attractive environments in world football. Agent meetings are anticipated in the near term, according to reports from Turkish media.
Key developments to watch:
- Arsenal’s formal response to the €45m bid
- Martinelli’s personal stance and potential agent talks
- Whether Galatasaray raise their offer above €45 million
- Outcome of Arsenal’s parallel pursuit of replacement wingers
- The Ethan Nwaneri loan proposal — a separate but linked negotiation
This is a developing story. All transfer details are based on reporting by ESPN, Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, and Turkish football journalist Haluk Yurekli as of August 13, 2026. No deal has been confirmed. Fees cited are as reported; unconfirmed figures are attributed to source journalism and may change.
Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
