Gabriel Martinelli has outlined his desire to stay at the club and hinted he could be very close to signing a new deal.
Gabriel Martinelli has taken the Premier League by storm this season. The Brazilian attacker has emerged as a critical part of Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Arsenal side, who are currently sitting at the summit of the Premier League table. The winger has played a massive role in this rise, and a new contract could be on its way.
Arsenal have supposedly been in advanced talks for some time now with the winger. Considering Martinelli still has considerable time to run on his current deal, the Gunners wish to save time by extending his stay. The proposed extension will see his wages rise from £70,000 to £200,000 per week.
The monumental rise is a reflection of his brilliant performances for Arsenal. Martinelli has netted five times this season in the Premier League. The Gunners are also seeking new contracts for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
Those three contracts expire in 2024, but Arsenal hold the option on Martinelli’s contract to extend it by two more years. The understanding is that the Gunners do not want to take up that option and instead reward the player and the other two for their brilliant performances.
🗣 "This is my club, I love to be here… I want to stay."
Gabriel Martinelli outlines that he wants to stay at Arsenal, with contract negotiations in the near future pic.twitter.com/BYWiqEICAA
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 2, 2022
The Gunners are also aware of interest from rival sides in Martinelli but remain confident of keeping the Brazilian for the long-term. In his own words, Martinelli has given a massive boost by hinting an extension might be inching closer.
Martinelli faced the press ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League’s final group game against FC Zurich. The Brazilian’s quotes in Daily Mirror reiterated his love for the club and his desire to extend his stay.
Martinelli said, “I’m very happy at Arsenal. “I’ve said it many times. This is my club. I love to be here. I love the city; I love the club; I love everything about Arsenal. So I want to stay; I’m very happy.”
When one of the reporters asked if he needed a pen to sign the contract, Martinelli jokingly replied, “Yeah, I just need a pen!”
The Brazilian reflected on his excellent performances, insisting it’s also due to the good players around him. He continued, “When you play with good players, it’s easy. “When I look to him (Jesus), he’s always moving. Bukayo is always willing to play as well, so it becomes easy to adapt. If sometimes you can see the games, he goes wide, and I go central.”
Martinelli could start against FC Zurich at the Emirates and be in the lineup against Chelsea at the weekend. He will hope to keep up with his recent good performances as it will help him immensely to keep his dream alive for a place in the Brazilian squad for Qatar.
