Roma Explores Transfer for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli Amid Salary Constraints
Having opted against the costly Nusa deal, Roma’s sporting director Tony D’Amico is shifting focus to other potential signings. According to a report in Corriere dello Sport, D’Amico has revived interest in Gabriel Martinelli, the 25-year-old winger for Arsenal and the Brazilian national team, whose contract expires next year.
However, a significant hurdle remains: Martinelli’s salary. Currently, he receives €11 million gross, while Roma would prefer to keep their expenditure under €9 million, adhering to the self-imposed salary cap set by the Friedkin family.
The agency Roc Nation, which manages Martinelli, also represents Lyon’s Malick Fofana and Real Madrid’s Endrick. Roma has expressed interest in these players as well, showing a more aggressive approach for the Belgian.
Arsenal, on their part, believe that a deal is not out of reach. With Tzolis already signed in a similar role and Martinelli’s contract situation, there’s a possibility that Arsenal may be inclined to negotiate a transfer fee in the range of €40-45 million.
Having put the Nusa option on hold due to its excessive costs, Tony D’Amico has confidently focused on other options.
For example, according to a report in Corriere dello Sport, he’s reopened the possibility of signing Gabriel Martinelli, 25, a Brazilian national team and Arsenal winger, whom Roma could approach because his contract with the Gunners expires in a year.
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The biggest obstacle? His salary. Martinelli earns €11 million gross, and the Giallorossi wouldn’t want to go above €9 million, given the Friedkins’ self-imposed salary cap.
The agency representing him, Roc Nation, also has Lyon’s Malick Fofana and Real Madrid’s Endrick in its stable, players for whom Roma has made enquiries, making a more determined bid in the case of the Belgian.
Arsenal remain convinced that an agreement isn’t so impossible to reach: Tzolis has already arrived in that role, and Martinelli, as mentioned, has a contract that expires in less than twelve months, which could persuade the seller to offer a discount, reaching €40-45 million.
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