Arsenal's record sale — a figure that has stood for nearly a decade — could be surpassed imminently, with Galatasaray submitting a formal bid for Gabriel Martinelli.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Turkish club have tabled an offer worth €45 million (approximately £38 million) for the Brazilian winger. That figure would eclipse the club's existing record sale of around £35 million, established when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed for Liverpool FC in 2017.

However, FourFourTwo understands Arsenal are holding firm, demanding closer to £50 million for a player they regard as one of the more valuable members of their squad. Martinelli's own preference, per the same report, is to continue competing at the highest level — casting doubt over a move to the Super Lig.

A remarkable return on a £6m investment

Arsenal signed Martinelli from Brazilian side Ituano for just £6 million when he was 18 years old. Now 25, the forward has spent seven years at the club and delivered on a number of landmark occasions — including a crucial equaliser against Manchester City in last season's title race.

Over his time in English football, Martinelli has also scored against every other member of the so-called Big Six, cementing his reputation as a player who rises to big moments.

Despite registering only one Premier League goal in 2024/25, he finished the campaign with 11 goals across all competitions — six of them in the UEFA Champions League, a tally that outpaced several forwards Arsenal have been linked with, among them Bradley Barcola and Vinicius Jr.

Competition building on the left flank

The potential departure of Martinelli comes amid shifting dynamics on Arsenal's left wing. The arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge is expected to increase competition for that position, while the club remain keen to recruit a marquee signing on the flank.

Arsenal have a strong track record of generating significant profit from player sales. Homegrown talents including Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun, and Emiliano Martinez all departed for fees of £20 million or above, yielding substantial returns. A Martinelli sale at £50 million would represent an even more striking piece of business.

Arsenal open the 2026/27 Premier League season against Coventry City.