Gabriel Martinelli is ‘not even close’ to signing a new deal to stay at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Glen Johnson has backed Chelsea to sign Gabriel Martinelli if he snubs Arsenal’s offer of a new contract.
Martinelli is ‘not even close’ to signing a new deal to stay at the Emirates after issuing his wage demands, though says he is keen to stay at the club.
The Brazilian has been one of the Gunners’ best performers so far this term – helping Arsenal reach the top of the table after nine games – and he was named Man of the Match in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Liverpool, scoring in the first minute.
Martinelli, 21, joined the club in a £7m deal in 2019 but he’s now a first team regular and he’s attracted interest from around the Premier League, most notably from Chelsea.
The winger’s current contract doesn’t expire until 2024 and the club have the option of extending that by a further 12 months.
However, there is an acceptance from the club’s board that Martinelli has outgrown his current deal and he deserves an increase in order to reward his performances and to thwart interest from elsewhere.
But Martinelli has shocked Arsenal’s board by demanding parity with top earners Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey on £200,000-a-week, according to reports.
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‘He’s a very exciting young player, so I can definitely believe that Chelsea are interested,’ Johnson told Bettingodds.com.
‘The closer he gets towards the end of his contract, then there’s a chance they could sign him.
‘Chelsea’s a massive football club and despite the fact that they’ve not been competing as much as they should have been in recent seasons, it still remains a massive attraction.
‘If Gabriel gets to the summer with a year to go on his deal, then I’m sure Chelsea would want a move and I’m sure Martinelli would.’
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged the Gunners to secure Martinelli’s long-term future by giving the forward ‘whatever he wants’.
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‘There’s a chance…’