Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli. (REUTERS/David Klein)
Arsenal have long been crying out for a world-class striker.
Despite signing a number of forwards—or second strikers—over the past few seasons, including Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and even Mikel Merino, none have managed to truly deliver.
Jesus, while undoubtedly talented, is perpetually injured. Merino, though decently prolific, is a midfielder playing out of position—hardly the kind of player who will bag 20-plus goals a season. As for Havertz, well… the less said, the better.
It’s that persistent lack of cutting edge in the final third that has arguably cost Arsenal the Premier League title in recent years. Mikel Arteta’s men have now finished runners-up three seasons in a row—twice to Manchester City, and most recently to Liverpool.
Defensively, they’re superb. In midfield, they’re dynamic and exciting. But up front? They’re still missing that lethal finishing touch.
Which is why fresh reports suggesting that one of their few attacking stars could be on the way out will worry Gunners fans.
Al-Nassr to Bid for Martinelli
According to a new report from Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr are preparing a £73 million bid for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli.
Jacobs claims that after missing out on Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, Al-Nassr have turned their full attention to the Brazilian international—viewing him as the ideal player to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané in their star-studded attack.
The Saudi side are desperate to bolster their frontline and are willing to pay top dollar to do so. With Jhon Duran expected to leave on loan just six months after arriving, Martinelli has been identified as the marquee name they want.
Though Arsenal would prefer to keep the 24-year-old, such a sizeable offer could prove tempting—especially as it would mark a club-record departure if accepted. For context, the most Arsenal have ever received for a player is £35 million, for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Folarin Balogun, sold to Liverpool (2017) and Monaco (2023), respectively.
Martinelli, described as “unbelievable” by former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, has scored 40 Premier League goals over six seasons for the Gunners.
While not an eye-popping return, in a team already struggling to convert chances, losing him could prove a major blow—especially if that money isn’t reinvested in a truly world-class No. 9. And if Arsenal’s recent transfer history is anything to go by, that’s far from guaranteed.
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