Italian giants Juventus have reportedly made Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli their top priority for a summer move. Juventus are currently looking to revamp their squad after missing out on the Serie A title for a second consecutive year. Moreover, the club has even struggled to clinch a top-four finish, further prompting the Agnelli family to invest heavily in the club. And manager Massimiliano Allegri has now set his sights on Martinelli for a transfer. The youngster is one of the hot prospects in world football right now and hence Juventus are readying an offer.
Gabriel Martinelli has hit the right chords at Arsenal since joining them in 2019 from Brazilian side Ituano. Further on, the winger has now become a crucial part of manager Mikel Arteta’s plans. As a result, the 20-year-old is wanted at the Emirates as the club looks to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016. However, Martinelli is also being monitored by many for a transfer with Juventus the latest side to show interest. But given his importance at the club, it is highly unlikely that Arteta lets him go.
Juventus ready to test Arsenal for Martinelli
Italian outlet Calciomercato are the ones who have reported Juventus’ interest in Gabriel Martinelli. Juventus are low on attacking options since many of their top players have left. The club saw their star man Cristiano Ronaldo leave last summer, followed by winger Dejan Kulusevski in the winter market. Furthermore, Paulo Dybala has also announced that he will be leaving the Old Lady this summer. Though Juventus signed Fiorentina hot-shot Dusan Vlahovic in January, the striker has failed to produce his best.
Allegri now wants more firepower and Martinelli tops his list. The 20-year-old has scored 6 goals and assisted 7 in his 36 appearances in all competitions this season. Moreover, the winger has racked up 1.7 dribbles, 1 key-pass, and 2 aerial duels won per game. A robust player, Martinelli averages pressing the opponent 9 times per game, adding 2 shot-creating actions as well.
Juventus eye Martinelli as their replacement for Paulo Dybala and are planning to bid for the Brazilian in the coming weeks. Martinelli’s versatility is also appreciated by the Italian side who are well aware that he can play as a center-forward too. The Brazilian has played 12 games as a striker and scored an impressive 7 goals. This could further enable Allegri to rotate Martinelli with Vlahovic who is having a tough time scoring goals.
However, a move looks difficult for Juventus since Arteta considers the 20-year-old too important to his side. Moreover, Arsenal also face a shortage in their attack with Alexandre Lacazette set to leave and Aubameyang already departed in January. In such a situation, it is far from likely that Arsenal further lose Martinelli to Juventus. Nonetheless, Calciomercato adds that Juventus are keeping tabs on other Arsenal players in Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey as well.
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