Gabriel Martinelli’s agent has revealed that the player had multiple offers to remain in Europe and the Premier League, but the former Gunner ultimately wanted a fresh start.
Gabriel Martinelli’s agent Marcos Casseb has spoken to the media about his client’s summer transfer from Arsenal to Al-Hilal, revealing that the winger had other options to remain in Europe.
“We had offers from Italian clubs, we had offers from German clubs and we had offers from other Premier League clubs but it was a moment when I think he needed and he also wanted to clear his head a bit, to change scenery,” Casseb said.
“He went to the biggest club in Asia to be part of a very ambitious project.
“We felt it was time for him to move on, and the club had also seen it that way. It was a very good departure for him and for Arsenal.”
Casseb is telling a different story to some in the media over the summer, who had claimed that Martinelli was forced out and not even informed that he was up for sale. This claim had already been refuted by more recent reports that Mikel Arteta had spoken to the winger personally.
The agent is clearly suggesting it was a mutual decision, and that the move is what the player himself wanted.
As for the future, Martinelli’s agent was asked whether his client might ever return to Brazil and his former youth club and boyhood side Corinthians.
“I think a little further down the line, yes,” Casseb responded. “He has four years left on his contract there, until he’s 29. He does dream of returning, playing for Corinthians , the club he left, his passion. He wants to come back someday.”
Martinelli left Arsenal for a club-record fee of €70m (£60m), signing a contract worth €20m a year plus bonuses. Arsenal also successfully negotiated a sell-on clause into the deal.
The winger has made a strong start to life with Al-Hilal, scoring three goals in his first four games for the team.
Given Arsenal’s long positive association with Martinelli and that sell-on clause, there are plenty of reasons to hope he keeps doing well with his new club.
- Mikel Arteta’s Unstoppable Red MachineArsenal’s away record tells the story of a side transformed under Mikel Arteta, with Anfield providing the latest evidence of a harder, more ruthless team.
- Arsenal revive interest in Kroupi ahead of January windowArsenal are reportedly ready to revive their interest in Eli Junior Kroupi, but Bournemouth are reluctant to sell the forward during the January window.
- Former Arsenal youngster’s star wanes as goalscoring dries upFormer Arsenal striker Mika Biereth is struggling for minutes at Monaco after his explosive start in France, with his future now increasingly uncertain.
- Arsenal manager and players up for Premier League monthly awardsRecognition has followed Arsenal’s perfect October, with three key figures now in the running for Premier League awards.
- Arsenal v Hull VAR is unwelcome appointmentMichael Oliver will be on VAR for Arsenal against Hull City, an appointment likely to revive memories of some of his most controversial Gunners decisions.