Arsenal’s stance is the sticking point. The Gunners have made clear they will not entertain selling Martinelli unless a new left-sided attacker is signed first, and Mikel Arteta’s summer priority list has already been trimmed by failed pursuits of other targets.

That has not stopped the queue from forming for the 25-year-old.

Yurekli reports €40m Galatasaray offer

Turkish reporter Haluk Yurekli has claimed Galatasaray submitted an offer worth around €40m, roughly £34m, for the winger. The bid figure remains unconfirmed by English or Arsenal-side sources, and reporting elsewhere describes the Istanbul side’s move as an “exploratory approach” rather than a formal offer tabled through official channels.

Galatasaray’s interest hardened after they cooled on a potential move for AC Milan’s Rafael Leão. Martinelli, out of contract in the summer of 2027 unless Arsenal trigger their extension option, is the alternative that has moved up their list.

Read also: 'A huge reset': Piastri concedes ground to Norris in his 2026 McLaren stocktake

Roma’s Serie A pitch

Serie A side Roma have also gone beyond admiration. Sports Mole reported, citing the Mirror, that the Giallorossi “have already held preliminary discussions with Martinelli’s representatives regarding a potential summer switch,” with a valuation of £38.5m attached to the player.

Roma face their own obstacles. Matching Martinelli’s Arsenal salary is understood to be a hurdle, and the Italian club are weighing other attacking options at the same time.

Arteta hints at more movement

The Arsenal manager has signalled the club is not finished in the market.

“We expect to have movements in the next few weeks,” Arteta said, adding that Arsenal need to “increase the competition internally.”

Read also: Verstappen turned Norris's summer-break dodge into another swing at F1's battery rules

Christos Tzolis, signed from Club Brugge earlier this summer, has emerged as the primary left-sided starter in pre-season, scoring and assisting in recent friendlies and cutting into Martinelli’s minutes before the campaign has begun. Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has been floated as a possible marquee addition on the flank, which would give Arsenal the replacement they say is a precondition for letting Martinelli go.

Nothing in the reports has been confirmed by Arsenal, by Martinelli himself, or by the clubs pursuing him. Any move will hinge on whether Arsenal find their new winger before the transfer window closes.

Read also: Al-Nassr open Al Awwal Park to promoted Diriyah as SAR 800m debt bites