Gabriel Martinelli won’t be returning to Brazil on loan in the January transfer window despite interest in him, according to his agent.

Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)
Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil (Photo via Martinelli on Twitter)

Marcelo Braga, a Brazilian journalist who covers Corinthians for Globo Esporte, writes that Gabriel Martinelli’s agent informs him there’s “zero chance” of the player returning to Brazil in the upcoming transfer window.

Corinthians are believed to have been interested in bringing Martinelli in on loan in the winter window, but it looks like that’s not going to happen.

There’s obviously going to be some speculation around Martinelli at the moment, given he’s only made eight appearances and four starts for Arsenal this campaign in all competitions. But it seems unlikely he leaves on loan to Brazil or elsewhere.

Even if he hasn’t featured on the pitch regularly, Martinelli has made it into every single Arsenal squad this season.

He’s clearly part of Mikel Arteta’s main group, he’s just not in the starting lineup ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe, and Bukayo Saka, which is some competition!

When Aubameyang leaves for AFCON in January, Martinelli may well be the player selected to take his place in the starting lineup. I certainly wouldn’t expect any movement on a transfer for the 20-year-old until Aubameyang returns.

While Arsenal still need him around, it’s harder to justify loaning the Brazil u23 international out.